Chhattisgarh. (04:04): “Whoever said money doesn’t grow on trees hasn’t seen the villages of Balrampur district in Chhattisgarh! Right now, the entire area is blooming with Mahua flowers, often referred to as ‘yellow gold’.”
The faces of those gathering these flowers are beaming with joy as they earn thousands of rupees by selling Mahua flowers. Forest produce plays a vital role in bolstering Chhattisgarh’s economy, with the Mahua flower business alone amounting to crores annually. The flourishing Mahua trees in Balrampur district and surrounding areas have started yielding their golden flowers, which are making their way to the market. Villagers are flocking to the forests and fields with their families, including school children, to collect Mahua. With favorable weather conditions, each tree is yielding 15 to 20 kg of Mahua daily, promising a bountiful harvest. However, the lack of direct government procurement forces villagers to sell to local traders at low prices, despite the high demand for Mahua flowers used in liquor production.
