Tendu Leaf Collection of Chhattisgarh

## Tendu Leaf — Green Gold of the Forests Tendu leaves (Diospyros melanoxylon), called kendu in Odia and beedi leaf in Hindi, are harvested from the deciduous forests of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha to wrap bidis (hand-rolled cigarettes). India is the world's largest beedi-producing country; tendu leaf is the essential raw material. ### Collection Tendu leaf collection season runs from May to June. Forest department or cooperative-supervised contractors mobilise tribal collectors who gather leaves in bundles (standard: 50 leaves per bundle). Women and children actively participate, earning ₹200–400 per day during the 30-day season. ### Government Control Chhattisgarh is the only state where the state government (CGMFP Federation) has direct monopoly over tendu leaf collection and sale — ensuring tribals receive minimum support price. Other states use a tender system. ### Economic Significance Chhattisgarh's annual tendu leaf revenue: ₹600–700 crore. Approximately 1.2 million tribal families participate in collection. The MSP for tendu leaf in CG is ₹4,000–4,500 per standard bag (1,000 bundles). ### Ecological Role Tendu trees (Diospyros melanoxylon) grow naturally in mixed deciduous forests. Sustainable collection requires harvest only once per season to allow regrowth. Forest departments monitor collection intensity.