In the tribal-dominated areas of Malkangiri district, tola collection has become a source of income for many families. Every morning, many tribal and Bengali people feed their families by collecting tola from the forest. The income from the sale of tola plays an important role in meeting domestic financial needs, from buying daily necessities like oil and salt. Since tola is mainly used as raw material in the production of oil and soap, there is a demand for it in the market.
However, there are many allegations that traders exploit collectors by not paying fair prices. Since no government sales center has been set up in the district so far for the purchase of tola, collectors are forced to depend on middlemen. Surrounded by forests and hills, Malkangiri district is rich in natural resources. Various forest products like tola, mehul, kendu leaves, honey are found here in abundance. Many tribal families earn their living based on this resource. According to the locals, if the government makes permanent arrangements for the collection and sale of forest produce in various blocks of the district, the collectors will be able to get fair price for their produce. It is hoped that this will improve their economic condition and also contribute to the overall development of the district.
