Chhattisgarh: Tendu leaf scheme boosts rural incomes in Balrampur; ₹5,500 per standard bag paid directly to collectors

Balrampur (Chhattisgarh) [India], May 23 (ANI): The Chhattisgarh government's Tendu leaf procurement scheme is emerging as a major source of livelihood support for forest-dependent communities in Chhattisgarh's Balrampur district, with the Forest Department directly purchasing collected leaves and transferring payments to beneficiaries' bank accounts.
Under the scheme, villagers engaged in tendu leaf collection are being paid ₹5,500 per "standard bag" of produce. A standard bag is defined as a lot comprising 1,000 bundles of tendu leaves, with each bundle containing around 50 leaves.
The payments are made directly into the bank accounts of collectors based on the quantity of leaves they gather and deposit at designated procurement centres.

To support smooth implementation, the district administration has set up 482 tendu leaf procurement centres across Balrampur, operating under 44 cooperative societies. These centres receive collected leaves, where Forest Department personnel also conduct quality checks, removing substandard leaves to ensure only high-quality produce is procured.
According to the scheme's beneficiaries, the collection process begins as early as 5:00 am, when villagers enter nearby forests to pluck tendu leaves. By afternoon, they return home to prepare bundles, and in the evening, they visit procurement centres to sell their produce.

In addition to assured procurement and direct payments, the scheme also provides life insurance coverage to tendu leaf collectors. The state government is further extending educational incentives for school-going children of beneficiaries, along with scholarships for meritorious students to promote access to quality education.
Furthermore, District Forest Divisional Officer Alok Bajpai said that around over one lakh tendu leaf collectors are currently benefiting from the scheme in the district.
He further informed that, given Balrampur's borders with three states, the department has established checkpoints across border areas to curb the illegal influx of tendu leaves.
"Continuous patrolling and enforcement action are also being carried out to prevent illicit transport and ensure that scheme benefits reach only genuine collectors within the district," he added.
Officials said the initiative has strengthened rural incomes and improved financial security among forest-based communities, while also promoting transparency in minor forest produce procurement. (ANI)