Mon Dec 15 13:46:55 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text followed by a rewritten version as a news article:
Summary:
The District Kudumbashree Mission in Pathanamthitta, India, has launched “Vana Shuddhi,” a program to support the Malaipandaram tribal community by turning their traditional forest product gathering into a sustainable business. The program collects honey, camphor, ginger, and other forest products directly from the community, processes them with the help of HortiCorp, and sells them through dedicated kiosks. This aims to empower the community, preserve their traditional knowledge, cut out intermediaries, and ensure fair returns. The project also addresses housing needs for some families in the community.
News Article:
Tribal Community in India Turns to Entrepreneurship with “Vana Shuddhi” Program
PATHANAMTHITTA, INDIA – December 15, 2025 – A sweet initiative is taking root in the forests of Sabarimala, as the District Kudumbashree Mission launches “Vana Shuddhi,” a program designed to transform the traditional livelihood of the Malaipandaram tribal community into a thriving business.
Under the 2024 Malaipandaram Microplan, the program directly sources forest products like honey, camphor, ginger, and other medicinal plants from the community. With the support of HortiCorp, these products are scientifically processed, branded, and sold through newly established kiosks, the first of which is already open in Pathanamthitta.
“The project is about preserving traditional knowledge, empowering around 100 families, and giving their skills the recognition they deserve,” says Adhila. S, Kudumbashree district mission coordinator. She emphasized the high quality and medicinal properties of the forest products gathered through the community’s traditional practices.
By cutting out intermediaries and providing direct market access, Vana Shuddhi aims to ensure fair returns for the Malaipandaram. The program promises to strengthen livelihoods and amplify the value of their ancestral knowledge.
According to a recent survey, the Malaipandaram community in the district consists of just 837 members across 12 settlements. In addition to supporting their entrepreneurial endeavors, the initiative also aims to address housing needs for 109 families who remain without permanent homes.
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