Tendu Leaves: Source of Livelihoods

Non timber forest produces (NTFP) are important source of livelihood throughout India. Tendu Leaves plays important role in generating livelihood by making bidi. Tendu leaves also known as bidi patta in Hindi. Central India is main producer of Bidi patta and Madhya Pradesh lead first position in tendu leaves production. The average annual production of tendu leaves in Madhya Pradesh is around 30 lakh standard bags, which is nearly 27% of the total tendu leaves production of the country.

Tendu leaves are obtained from tendu tree (Diospyros melonoxylon) and leaf of tendu is considered the most suitable covering on account of the simplicity with which it can be rolled and its wide availability. Leaves of many other plants like Plash, Sal are also find use as Bidi wrappers in different parts of the country but the texture, flavour and workability of tendu leaves are unique. The major use of tendu leaves in Bidi industry is due to their enormous production, agreeable flavour, flexibility, resistance to decay and capacity to retain fires. The broad morphological characters on which leaves, are selected and catagorised for Bidi making are size, thickness of leaves, texture, relative thickness of midrib and lateral veins.

For collection and processing of tendu leaves standardized same procedure is used throughout India. Tendu leaves are collected from the trees in the month of April after 45 days cutting the upper branches.The leaves are collected in bundles of 100 leaves, which are dried in sunlight for about a week. The dried leaves are sprinkled with water to soften them and then filled tightly in jute bags and exposed to direct sunlight for 3 days.

Thousands of families are associated in making bidi. One person earn Rs 40-80/- per day by making bidi from tendu leaves. Bidi rolling is the primary job which looks very simple but need practice and consistency in work. It is a source of subsidiary occupation and supplementary income to lakhs of people. Bidi industry provides employment to the rural people during off season for collection of bidi leaves. Bidi industry has a vital role in rural welfare and in promoting rural economy.