Daringbadi: Collection of a rare herb ‘Ananta Mula’ or Indian sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus) has turned out to be the new found vocation of tribals in Bhramarbadi and Siangbali panchayats under this block of Kandhamal district.
However, with no knowledge of its medicinal benefits, the tribals collect the herb from nearby forests and sell it at throwaway prices to middlemen and traders.
The interest shown by the traders in buying the herb is quite indicative of its high demand outside the district.
Even residents of Baimala village under Sorada block in neighbouring Ganjam district collect this herb and sell it for a price.
The herb is said to be used by Ayurvedic practitioners and pharmaceutical industries for preparation of medicines used in treatment of skin, urinary and other disorders and auto immune diseases.
The administration and forest department despite being aware of the herb’s demand have done little to streamline its collection and sale. The day is not far when the rare herb will vanish from the jungles of the district, Kailash Chandra Dandapat, secretary of a voluntary outfit, Jagruti, claimed.
Tribals are so obsessed with the herb that they don’t mind skipping agricultural work for collection of the herb.
Rashmita Pradhan and Nabina Pradhan said they are more inclined to collect this herb as it gives them more earnings with little efforts.
Traders from Gajalbadi and Sorada in neighbouring Ganjam district regularly come here to collect herb. Tribals collect the shoots of the plants and cut them into small pieces. Subsequently, they dry them under the sun and sell them for anything between Rs 25 and 30 per kg.
However, observers claimed that traders and middlemen dupe the gullible tribals and sell the herbs for anything between Rs 45 and Rs 50 per kg.
Retired divisional forest officer Biswanth Hota said it is high time the forest department and local administration take urgent steps to save the rare plant before it vanishes from the forests. PNN
