Mahul leaves make Koriya women self reliant

Central Chronicle News
Koriya, Sep 07: Koriya District abundant in forest resources, also has keen participators, in making the resources a source of livlihood.In Van Dhan Kendra Sonhat, women of Ekta Mahila Self-Help Group have earned more than one lakh rupees, by making dona-pattal from Mahul leaves, an evergreen climber to earn a living. This livelihood scheme operated in Van Dhan Kendra Sonhat, has scores of women mastering the art of procuring direct money through forest resources, by investing their time into the project. Here it needs to be mentioned that, in order to strengthen the economic condition of women, Korea Forest Division is moving towards economic progress by forming Self Help Groups, like Ekta Women Self-Help Group. The group having its origin in Van Dhan Kendra located in Sonhat area of Baikunthpur, made 01 lakh 15 thousand rupees in 01 financial year through the leaves, also generating a profit of Rs. 70.000 directly. The Forest Department has also provided a machine to the group to make Dona-pattal, due to which women have been able to do more yield, at a minimum time period. It also needs to be mentioned, that in rural areas, dona-pattal is an integral part of any social religious gathering, where food is bound to be served. With no pollution index, these plates are biodegradable and easy to store too.There is also a demand for them in the local market and shops and the ‘leaf made utensil’ by the hands of these women are sold hand-in-hand, owing to the low price, contributing to a demand flow, which is evergreen.