Source-This post on Kendu Leaf has been created based on the article “Odisha tribals await forest department nod to sell kendu leaf worth Rs 34 lakh” published in “Down to Earth” on 30 May 2024.
Why in News?
Villagers in Odisha’s Koraput who started the initiative of seeking kendu leaf under the Community Forest Rights (CFR), are now struggling for approvals from the forest department.
About Kendu Leaf
1. About: It is a species of flowering tree in the family Ebenaceae. It is native to India and Sri Lanka. In various parts of India, it is also known as tendu leaf.
2. States where it is produced: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
3. Uses: It is used in multiple ways:
a) The Kendu leaves are used to wrap bidis, a popular smoke among the locals. Tribals living in remote forests, pluck it and sell them in the market to earn their livelihood.
b) Traditional medical practitioners use it to treat malaria, diarrhoea, and dysentery. Due to their antimicrobial properties, the leaves are applied to cuts and bruises as well.
Kendu Leaf in Odisha:
1. It is called the green gold of Odisha. It is a nationalized product, like bamboo and the sal seed. It is one of the most important non-wood forest products in Odisha.
2. Odisha is the third-largest producer of tendu leaves, after Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
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