Keonjhar: Apart from captivating those who enter forests in Keonjhar district during winter season, Giliri flowers have brought prosperity for local tribals here, a report said.
According to sources, local tribals sell large quantities of Giliri flowers at nearby markets, which is said to be good in taste and has medicinal qualities. This seasonal flowers play an important role in strengthening the fiscal standing of tribal people in this district.
Colourful Giliri flowers bloom across Keonjhar district in winter. These flowers are used for many delicacies, either just fried or used in curries. Going by the culinary demand, tribals living in and around forests surrounding Keonjhar district collect Giliri flowers and sell it in urban and rural markets.
These tasty flowers are usually sold in bowls made up of sal leaves, with each bowl costing between Rs 10 to Rs 20. “We collect Giliri flowers from nearby forests and the demand for this flower is gradually increasing. We earn Rs 200 to Rs 300 a day,” local tribals informed.
There is also a huge demand for these flowers in markets outside Keonjhar district. Traders buy these flowers from local tribals and sell these outside the district. However, the forests surrounding Keonjhar district meet the livelihood needs of local tribals. Nature has provided many seasonal food products to tribals, to meet their livelihoods.
Besides seasonal flowers, the tribals also collect fruits, nuts, roots, mushrooms and stems of various plants from the forest and hills. Earlier, forest products were being treated as poor man’s food.
Now, these are in good demand in urban areas. Forest products are exported outside the district and state, for usually being good in taste when prepared well. These are hygienic and good for health.
“Giliri flowers are aplenty in the forests, hills and roadsides of Bansapal, Telkoi and Harichandanpur areas in Keonjhar district. These flowers have a very high medicinal value and ideally good for health”, local ayurvedic practitioner Harekrushna Mohanta said.