Tribal Communities in Jharigaon Rely on Kendu Leaf Collection for Seasonal Employment and Economic Support

Jharigaon, May 11: : With the arrival of the kendu leaf collection season in Jharigaon block of Nabarangpur district, employment opportunities have opened up for people living in tribal rural areas. Women leave their homes at night and head to nearby forests to collect kendu leaves.
After returning home, they sort and bundle the leaves to prepare them for sale.
Kendu leaf collectors play an important role in Odisha’s economy. During the season, this work becomes a major source of income for rural people. Many families depend on kendu leaf collection for their daily earnings and livelihood, the collectors said.
While the previous government had introduced various welfare schemes for kendu leaf collectors, they are also receiving double bonuses and financial assistance for daughters’ marriages, which has encouraged rural people to actively participate in kendu leaf collection. As night falls, they go into the forests to gather the leaves.
Each bundle contains 50 leaves, and the government-fixed price for one bundle is ₹3.20. A worker collects around 100 to 135 bundles per day, earning approximately ₹300 to ₹400 daily. For poor tribal families, this has become a major source of financial support and plays a key role in sustaining their livelihoods.
This year, the department has set a target of collecting 3 lakh bundles of kendu leaves.
Speaking on the matter, checker Laxman Nayak said that for the past few days, around 40 workers from five villages — Chataguda, Nayakguda, Pujariguda, Dangariguda, and Kapasakuti — have been engaged in kendu leaf collection activities.