The Kendu Leaf Trade: Problems & Prospects in Orissa - Vasundhara

(Note: The above matter was published in ‘Thengapali’, 15 August 2005 issue alongwith a
photograph from a press agency EPA. As shown in the photograph, the phadi at Dengajhari in
the Ranapur area was not well-maintained resulting in the loss of the leaf-quality due to exposure
to rains, etc.. The said phadi was actually built by the local people, as the KL wing did not
finance the construction; but the way this phadi was used and maintained by the concerned
department was more disappointing. In 2002-03, after protests by the local communities the
authorities decided to open only two phadis though their survey suggested a potential for more
phadis. The local people found enough reasons to suspect that the local authorities of the
Department had intentionally neglected their cause. However, situation has changed particularly
in 2006 after a new DFO took initiatives to take care of some of the major problems. The local
MLA has also intervened, and in 2006 there were three phadis and one temporary collection
center in this area.
It may be mentioned here that ‘Thengapali’ is the newsletter of Maa Maninaga Surakshya
Parishad, a federation of forest-protecting communities of the Ranapur block.)
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