M F Ahmad| TNNDaltonganj: Teams of the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Saturday seized 45 standard bags of kendu leaves from different locations, though no arrests have been made so far.According to PTR management, 25 standard bags were seized at Lukum Kharn, while another 20 bags were recovered from Mundu. Sources added that just a couple of days ago, PTR teams had also seized 32 standard bags in and around the Chhipadohar range, indicating ongoing action against illegal collection and storage.A standard bag contains around 1,000 polas of kendu leaves. Each pola comprises 50 leaves, along with one cover leaf above and another below to protect them from weather damage.Range officer Ajay Toppo, who led Saturday’s raid, said the bags were found kept outside residential houses. “Though no arrests have been made, the households have been identified and forest cases will be initiated under relevant sections of the Forest Act,” he said. Toppo added that offences under the Wildlife Protection Act would also be registered against those linked to the seized stock.Sources said PTR field director S R Natesha has directed deputy directors of both divisions to intensify the crackdown on illicit plucking, storage, packing and transportation of forest produce.Officials believe the seizures are “just the tip of the iceberg”, as kendu leaves are the second most lucrative forest-based livelihood for locals after mahua. Smuggling of kendu leaves in the Palamu division is said to be widespread, comparable to illicit liquor trade.Kendu leaves are primarily used in bidi manufacturing, with Jharkhand’s Pakur district known as a major production hub.
