Recently, 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. 

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. 

Read more: Kendu leaf trade: Stringent laws needed to keep children out