NEW DELHI: The Centre is all set to reach out to tribal dominant states with a campaign on "social distancing" as it is that time of the year when the peak season for collection and harvest of forest produce has started in many regions. The campaign will also focus on addressing myths around Covid-19 to prevent stigmatisation of migrants returning to villages from urban areas.With the lockdown in force to prevent the spread of Covid-19, Tribal Cooperative Marketing Federation of India has started the outreach by setting off a series of webinars – a virtual training of different levels of officials, trainers and self - help groups on all aspects of Covid-19 and the need to fight stigma with proper information. Over 15,000 SHGs associated with the 1200 odd Vand Dhan Vikas Kendras will be steering the on ground outreach.“To ensure tribal gatherers carry on their work safely, TRIFED has collaborated with UNICEF and WHO for developing a digital communication strategy for promoting a digital campaign for SHGs involved in this work, highlighting the importance of social distancing,” TRIFED managing director Pravir Krishna said.“It is the peak season for collection and harvest of non-timber minor forest produce (MFP) in many regions. Certain proactive measures need to be initiated to ensure the wellbeing of the tribals and their economy by providing them safety and ensuring their livelihoods. To start with, 15,000 SHGs will be promoted as Van Dhan Social Distancing Awareness cum Livelihood Centers’ through a digital training program,” he added.Meanwhile, with the lockdown to combat Covid-19 posing tremendous challenges for tribal non-timber forest produce gatherers, union minister for tribal affairs Arjun Munda on Wednesday wrote to the chief ministers of 15 tribal states with significant tribal population to take urgent measures to procure the produce at the minimum support price (MSP) fixed for minor forest produce (MFP).TRIFED MD too assured stakeholders during the webinar on Thursday, that he will be writing to the principal secretaries in the states to expedite the linkages for procurement of produce that the gatherers will be collecting as the haat bazaars are shut due to the lockdown and social distancing norms.In his letter, Munda has already emphasised that urgent measures are necessary to prevent middlemen from urban areas moving to tribal habitations to take advantage of the situation of the poor tribals to buy out the MFP at a cheaper rate.