Kendu leaf trade: Stringent laws needed to keep children out

What is the News?

Several children were seen collecting kendu leaves in the Joradobra Phadi (kendu leaf collection center) in Odisha’s Kalahandi district. This was a clear violation of child rights and also a reflection of the shoddy state of affairs across the state.

About Kendu Leaf:

• Kendu Leaf is a species of flowering tree in the family Ebenaceae. It is native to India and Sri Lanka.
• The states producing Kendu leaves in India comprise mainly Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

Kendu Leaf in Odisha:

• Kendu leaf 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.
• Odisha is the third-largest producer of kendu leaf, after Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
• The Uniqueness of Odisha’s kendu leaf is in processed form, whereas the rest of the states in India produces in Phal Form.
  • In processed form, the Kendu leaves are graded into different qualities that are Grade I to Grade IV as per the specification of color, texture, size, and body condition of the leaf.

Uses of Kendu Leaf:

• The Kendu leaves are used to wrap bidis, a popular smoke among the locals.
• Tribals living in remote forests, pluck the Kendu leaves and sell them in the market to earn their livelihood.
• Traditional medical practitioners use Kendu Leaves to treat malaria, diarrhoea, and dysentery. Due to their antimicrobial properties, the leaves are applied to cuts and bruises as well.

Kendu Leaf Sector in Odisha:

• In Odisha, Children are mostly engaged in plucking, drying, collecting Kendu leaves. They are paid extremely low wages for the work.
• Moreover, children are also deprived of benefits such as healthcare and compensation in case of accidental death and injury.

Way Forward:

• To free Kendu leaves sector from child labour, more stringent laws are needed. Parents and children need to be sensitised about child rights.
• Besides the child protection system viz. childline, district child protection unit, child welfare committee, etc. would have to be more vigil and proactive in ensuring rights to children.