17 lakh standard bags of Tendu Patta collected

Bhopal: Efforts of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to provide more facilities to the Tendu Patta collectors and help them get fair price is leading to encouraging results. Nearly 17 lakh standard bags of Tendu Patta has been collected so far in the state this year and about 43 lakh quintal Mahua flowers have been purchased. Collection work of both forest produce is in progress.

Rajya Laghu Vanopaj Sangh Chairman Mahesh Kori told that this year the target set for tendu patta collection is about 22 lakh standard bags and the target is expected to be fulfilled soon. Nearly 16 thousand collection centres have been set up through 1071 primary vanopaj committees for the tendu patta collectors. The collectors are being paid Rs 1250 per standard bag. So far Shahdol, Umaria, Singrauli, Sidhi, Balaghat, Chhatarpur and Mandla have recorded maximum collections.

Kori told that so far Rs 13 crore has been paid to the Mahua collectors in the state as remuneration. Maximum purchase of Mahua flowers has been made by Umaria, Shahdol, Anuppur, Singrauli, Satna and Sidhi District Union. Mahua collection is being made in 1189 centres through 60 District Laghu Vanopaj Unions.-WTN