Record collection of tendu leaf in MP

Bhopal, June 1: Record collection of 21.45 lakh standard bags of tendu(bidi) leaf has been registered so far this season in Madhya Pradesh.

Collection of tendu leaf, the main raw material in the manufacture of bidi, is expected to touch 27 lakh standard bags by the end of the season, official sources said today, adding in all, 27,99,199 standard bags of tendu leaf were collected during 2006.

Forest Minister Himmat Kothari said formulation of new tendu leaf policy had yielded meaningful results with collection of better quality leaves. Tendu leaf pluckers would be given more collection incentive in addition to wages, he added.

Tendu leaf is being collected from forests in all districts in Madhya Pradesh, barring Datia.

UNI