Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana — Gujarat Tribal Welfare

What is Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana?

Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (Forest Friends Welfare Scheme) is Gujarat government's flagship integrated development programme for Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities in the state's tribal belt — primarily the districts of Dahod, Panchmahal, Narmada, Valsad, Navsari, Tapi, Dang, and adjacent tribal areas.

Rather than isolated welfare measures, Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana takes a comprehensive, mission-mode approach to develop tribal areas in education, health, infrastructure, livelihood, and social protection simultaneously.

Key Benefit Areas

14 Districts Covered

Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana's intensive focus areas:

• Dahod, Panchmahal, Mahisagar (eastern)
• Narmada, Bharuch (tribal pockets)
• Valsad, Navsari, Tapi, Surat (south Gujarat tribal belt)
• Dang (100% tribal district)
• Sabarkantha, Arvalli, Banaskantha (northern tribal blocks)

Key Schemes Under Vanbandhu

Education:

• Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) — free Class 6–12 residential education
• Tribal pre-matric hostels — free hostel for tribal students near good schools
• Vanbandhu scholarships — for higher education (engineering, medical, MBA)
• Digital literacy — computer labs in tribal schools

Health:

• Mobile health units — weekly visits to remote tribal villages
• Tribal-specific disease control — sickle cell anaemia (high prevalence in Gujarat tribals)
• ASHA worker coverage — every tribal habitation

Livelihood:

• ATMA (Agriculture Technology Management Agency) support for tribal farmers
• Tribal cooperative marketing — tribals sell forest produce, crafts at good prices
• SHG formation — micro-credit for tribal women

Social Security:

• Tribal pension — old age, disability, widow pensions via Social Justice Dept
• Aadijati Vikas Nidhi — education and medical emergency fund

How Tribal Residents Access Benefits

For individuals:

• Visit your local Tribal Development Officer (TDO) office at taluka level
• Taluka-wise offices coordinate all Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana benefits

For hostel and school:

• Apply at the nearest tribal hostel / EMRS school

For scholarships:

• Apply at tribal.gujarat.gov.in scholarship section

For forest rights claims:

• Apply through Gram Sabha under Forest Rights Act — TDO assists

For sickle cell anaemia:

• Free testing at government hospitals in tribal districts; positive cases get treatment support

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I am an ST farmer in Dahod. What support can I get from Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana?

Visit the Tribal Development Office (TDO) in your taluka. For farming: drip irrigation subsidy, horticulture subsidy, crop insurance. For income: SHG formation, crop marketing support. For family: children's hostel, health van visits.

2. My child cleared Class 10. Is there a Vanbandhu scholarship for college?

Yes. Tribal students who pass Class 10 and want to continue education get scholarships via the tribal scholarship portal at tribal.gujarat.gov.in. Additionally, pre-matric and post-matric scholarships are available.

3. What is sickle cell anaemia support for tribal communities?

Sickle cell anaemia is more common in Gujarat tribal populations. The state provides: free blood testing, genetic counseling, regular blood transfusions, and hydroxyurea medication at government hospitals. Contact the District Hospital's Sickle Cell Clinic.

4. Can I claim forest land rights under this scheme?

The Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 allows tribal communities to claim ancestral forest land rights. Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana facilitates FRA claims through the Gram Sabha and Revenue Department. Contact the TDO for assistance.

5. I am not from a tribal community but live in a tribal district. Do I get Vanbandhu benefits?

Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana primarily targets ST (Scheduled Tribe) communities. Non-tribal residents in tribal areas benefit indirectly from roads, health facilities, and schools built under the programme, but the targeted benefits are for ST community members only.

Official Links