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Thousands of rural and tribal families in Chhattisgarh's Balrampur district are securing their primary livelihood through the state government's tendu leaf collection scheme, which continues to serve as a major source of income in forested regions.
Speaking to ANI, Balrampur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Alok Bajpai said the initiative is being implemented through the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Federation and is benefiting a large number of collectors across the district. "Tendu leaves are a very important means of livelihood for our tribal brothers and sisters in the forest areas. It is being operated with great sensitivity through the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Federation," Bajpai said. He added that nearly one lakh collectors in Balrampur are directly benefiting from the scheme. "Around 1 lakh collectors in Balrampur district are directly benefiting from it, and the collection rate set by the administration is Rs 5,500 per standard sack, which is quite good. It is being managed through 44 committees in the Balrampur district. There are 64 lots in it, and collection is being done enthusiastically everywhere," he said. Highlighting the importance of the initiative for the region's economy, he added: "The Balrampur area is a forest region where this is a very essential means of livelihood." Speaking to ANI, a beneficiary said the scheme has become an important source of financial support for rural families. "We pluck tendu leaves and make bundles of 50 and try to sell them... First, our leaves were checked, and then we received the money in our accounts. That money is useful to us; it goes towards farming," a tendu leaves collector added. (ANI)
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