Tendupatta collectors are happy with the significant hike in the rate for collection
Raipur, 09 June 2023,
Forest produce is bringing about major positive changes in the lives of forest dependents. The Government of Chhattisgarh has taken several concrete steps in the interest of the tribal people, which include procurement of minor forest produce at support price, increase in the rate of tendupatta collectors, collection of agriculture and minor forest produce, value addition etc. These steps and decisions have not only provided employment to the people in forest areas but have also brought positive changes in their lives. Facilities like health, education, employment, drinking water, roads, and community buildings have been expanded in tribal areas, and the forest dependents have been given their rights on forest.
Earlier, Tendupatta was procured at Rs.2500 per standard bag, but presently it is being procured at the rate of Rs.4000 per standard bag. Yesterday, this rate was further increased by Rs.1500 per standard bag. So far, three-fourth of the tendupatta has been procured from the collectors in the state. The hike in the rate of tendupatta collection brought prosperity in the lives of tendupatta collectors.
Out of the total quantity of tendupatta collected so far, one lakh 22 thousand 310 standard bags of tendupatta has been collected in Sukma Forest Division, against the target of one lakh 8 thousand standard bags. Similarly, 15 thousand 630 standard bags have been collected in Dantewada Forest Division, 20 thousand 971 standard bags in Jagdalpur, 18 thousand 608 standard bags in South Kondagaon and 24 thousand 963 standard bags of Tendupatta in Keshkal. Likewise, 18 thousand 610 standard bags have been collected in Forest Division Narayanpur, 90 thousand 649 standard bags have been collected in East Bhanupratappur, 34 thousand 884 standard bags in West Bhanupratappur, and 33 thousand 342 standard bags have been collected in Kanker. Around 60 thousand 588 standard bags of Tendupatta have been collected in Forest Division Rajnandgaon, 24 thousand 516 standard bags in Khairagarh, 19 thousand 17 standard bags in Balod, 32 thousand 346 standard bags in Kawardha, 20 thousand 584 standard bags in Forest Division Dhamtari, 77 thousand 574 standard bags in Gariaband, 70 thousand 720 standard bags in Mahasamund and 16 thousand standard bags in Balodabazar, Is. 25 thousand 548 standard bags in Bilaspur forest division, 10 thousand 866 standard bags in Marwahi, 6 thousand 883 standard bags in Janjgir-Champa, 49 thousand 184 standard bags in Raigarh, 70 thousand 945 standard bags in Dharamjaigarh, 43 thousand 822 standard bags in Korba and 58 thousand 806 standard bags have been collected in Katghora, 27 thousand 688 standard bags have been collected in Jashpur, 28 thousand 756 standard bags in Manendragarh, 20 thousand 958 standard bags in Koriya, 22 thousand 229 standard bags in Surguja, 86 thousand 561 standard bags in Balrampur, 53 thousand 552 standard bags of tendupatta were collected in Surajpur.
Tendupatta is green gold – Villagers living in Vananchal of industrial district consider Tendupatta as green gold. In the summer days, when they have neither work in the fields nor any work in the house, then the collection of this tendu leaf i.e. green gold gives them remuneration on the basis of hard work and collection. For the villagers living in Vananchal, the increase in the rate of standard bora per tendupatta has brought happiness. She is doing the work of tendu leaf collection with great enthusiasm.
Collectors are happy with the increase in prices – Sukhmin Bai and Kala Kunwar of village Korkoma of Korba development block, Vrinda Bai have been doing the work of collecting Tendupatta and selling it in the committee for years. These collectors, who earn Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 in a season, say that they pluck leaves from morning to evening, make bundles of them, then sell them in rags. Most of his time is spent in the forest. Expressing happiness over the Chief Minister increasing the rate of Rs. 2500 per bag to Rs. 4000, Sukhmin Bai said that it would benefit collectors like her.
Bundles are made by plucking each leaf – Bisaheen Bai, Geeta Bai, Sukho Bai, Nanki Bai, residents of village Korkoma, say that they have been doing the work of plucking tendu leaves for many years. In the interest of the collectors, when the amount of 2500 rupees is 4000 rupees per sack, it was said that the poor collectors would be benefited by this. The prince of Kudmura told that he has been doing the work of collecting tendu leaves along with wages for many years. Tendupatta collection in the village earns some money during the summer. It takes effort to break each and every leaf and make a bundle. Realizing the importance of the hard work of the collectors, the government has increased the amount, which is commendable.
