- Increasing participation of women is promoting self-reliance
- 37,131 collector families of Mohla-Manpur district received payment of more than Rs 30 crore 65 lakh 79 thousand from tendu leaf collection.
Tendu leaves and bamboo are considered green gold in the rural and forest areas of Chhattisgarh. The state government’s increase in the collection rate for tendu leaves to ₹5,500 per standard bag has strengthened the economic condition of millions of tribal and rural families and provided them with self-reliance. Tendu leaf collection has helped them achieve self-sufficiency. Tendu leaf collection is now providing employment within the villages. Timely payments and bonuses from the government have further increased the villagers’ confidence.
In the dense forest areas of Mohla-Manpur-Ambagadh Chowki district of Chhattisgarh, tendu leaves are not just a forest produce for the villagers, but have become a strong economic support by becoming ‘green gold’. Every year during the summer season, thousands of villagers, especially women, contribute significantly to increasing their family income by engaging in tendu leaf collection. Rural families are using the money earned from tendu leaf collection for children’s education, household needs and farming. In this way, tendu leaf collection has become an important medium for rural employment and economic empowerment.
- 37 thousand 131 collector families received payment of more than Rs 30 crore 65 lakh.
In the year 2026, tendu leaves were collected through 40 lots and 502 phads under 39 primary minor forest produce cooperative societies of the district. In the month of May, 37 thousand 131 collector families collected a total of 55 thousand 741.7 standard bags of tendu leaves. In lieu of this, Rs 30 crore 65 lakh 79 thousand 350 has been paid to the collector families. Apart from this, Rs 40 lakh 51 thousand 154 has also been paid for cutting tendu leaves in February-March 2026.
- The district’s tendu leaves have gained recognition due to their excellent quality.
The tendu leaves of the Mohla-Manpur-Ambagadh Chowki district are known for their excellent quality. Due to this quality, the district’s tendu leaves are in high demand, and contractors purchase them at good rates. Action is underway to provide a bonus of ₹119.7 million (119.7 million) 98.934 (119.7 million) to 33,363 collector families from 36 committees in the district for the 2023 tendu leaf collection season.
- Transparent and timely payments through DBT
Payments for tendu leaf collection and cutting are being made online. Under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, funds are being sent directly to collectors’ bank accounts. This has made the payment process more transparent and timely. Income from tendu leaf collection is providing an economic support for rural families. The increasing participation of women is empowering them financially and moving them toward self-reliance.
