Kendu Leaf Trade
Source : Down To Earth
Governance
What is discussed under Kendu Leaf Trade ?
- What is Kendu Leaf ?
- What is the issue ?
Why in News ?
Several children were seen collecting kendu leaves in the Joradobra Phadi (kendu leaf collection centre) under the Kesinga Forest Range, Bhawanipatna division, in Odisha’s Kalahandi district.
Key Facts
- What is Kendu Leaf ?
- Kendu leaf is called the green gold of Odisha.
- It is a nationalised product like bamboo and sal seed.
- It is one of the most important non-wood forest products in Odisha.
- Uses : To wrap bidis, a popular smoke among the locals
- Odisha is the third-largest producer of kendu leaf, after Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
- The districts where kendu leaves are grown the most are Sundergarh, Anugul, Deogarh, Kalahandi, Keonjhar, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Malkanagri, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Dhenkanal, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Baragarh, Bolangir, Sonepur, Boudh and Nuapada.
The states producing bidi leaves in India comprises mainly Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Maharastra.
- What is the issue ?
- Children those who are working at collection of kendu leaf increases during April-May every year.
- The payment provided is much lesser and seen as exploitation.
- As a result of no proper ID cards age and name cant be identified.
- Aged 14-18 can only be engaged in selected non-hazardous sector.
- The major issue is worker without an identity card is rejected from availing benefits like healthcare and compensation in case of accidental death and injury.
Child Labour Policies in India
- Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2017
- Framework for prevention, prohibition, rescue and rehabilitation of child and adolescent workers.
- It also provides for safeguards of artists which have been permitted to work under the Act.
- The rules provide for specific provisions incorporating duties and responsibilities of enforcement agencies.
- Constitutional Provisions
- Article 21 A: Right to Education : The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of 6 to 14 years in such manner as the State, by law, may determine.
- Article 24: Prohibition of employment of children in factories, etc. : No child below the age fourteen years shall be employed in work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment.
Way Forward
- Parents and children need to be sensitised about child rights.
- Child protection system like childline, district child protection unit, child welfare committee etc. would have to be more vigil and proactive in ensuring rights to children.
Daily Current Affairs : Click Here