Siali is a gigantic climber and one of the most abundant of Indian climbing species. Its leaves are extensively used as leaf cups, plates and also used in pan shops as wrappers. Though it is a fibre-producing climber it is generally looked upon as an enemy due to damage it can do to healthy trees.

The collection of Mahul leaves generates substantial employment in rural areas near forests ranging from 2 to 3 months in most areas and 6 to 7 months in areas rich with Sal forests. Potential employment generation is 15-lakh person days per annum. But this employment is not attractive as it fetches very low returns, bulk of the margins being taken by traders. The average revenue from Siali leaves was about Rs. 20 Lakhs whereas market value stood at Rs 235 Lakhs.

It is felt that contribution of Mahul amongst NTFP has not been given adequate importance although it has been in use since ancient times.

Availability and Spread

Mahul occurs in all types of forests, but more extensively in Sal forests. Undivided MP is the most important producer of leaves. As per an estimate 10,000 tonnes of leaves are produced in the state. Though it occurs all over, but most of the Mahul has again gone to Chhatisgarh after division of the state. In MP, it is mostly available in Betul, Jabalpur, Dindori, and Shahdol region. As per available information in late 80s, average yearly collection of Siali leaves was 7834 tones in undivided MP, out of which Chhatisgarh accounted for 86.66% in terms of production and 80.93 % in terms of revenue.

People now feel that this climber has declined considerably. Large climbers are a rare occurrence. Cutting of climbers during felling season is still prescribed by working plans and followed.

Phenology and Silviculture

There are two seasons for collection of mahul leaves, first during summer between May - June, then between the months of September to January.

There are two grades in Siali leaves - 1. Clean, dry and big leaves, 2. Damaged or slightly black leaves that are normally sold in pan and flower shops. Size of leaves varies from season to season. Small sized leaves come during summer months, size varying between 9 - 14 inches. In the rainy season, however sizes could go as high as 18 - 24 inches. In summer, the texture of the leaves stay fine and shiny and there is less damage to leaves as they dry soon. Generally, the green, thick and large sized leaves are preferred.

Utilisation

The use of this climber is stated to be more than those of any other forest plant for the rural communities. The natives use it for tying their cattle, and sewing their straw mats with fresh bark. It also makes capital matches for guns, and muzzles for oxen and calves. After stripping the outer bark, the inner coating is soaked in water and twisted to be used as rope. The bark is also made into ropes and strings for charpoys after boiling and beating with mallets to render it soft and pliable.

The seeds possess tonic (and aphrodisiac!) properties. They are eaten raw and when ripe they taste like cashew nut. The young pods are cooked and eaten by hill tribes. However, it is the leaves that are now used most to turn them into plates and cups. The leaves are also regarded as demulcent and mucilaginous remedies.

Collection and Processing

During collection months, tribal families migrate to forests to avoid daily travelling. They camp in forests, pluck and dry leaves, coming only during weekly market days to sell the produce and buy necessities. The entire family including children participate in collection of leaves. Since leaves are mostly found in good forest areas, considerable transport is required from collection sites to phad and then to central godown of the trader.

Tribal make the plates and cups out of the leaves by hand. Though it appears a simple process, it requires a lot of practice to make the right size donnas. Pattals and donnas are made by binding leaves one above the other with help of needles like twigs from the forest. After preparation, they are spread on ground and dried for 2-3 days. Then they are packed in bundles of 100 each. After drying they can be stored for more than a year if protected from heavy rain, so plates are stored in sheds and small godowns in the village.

Now machines are available that cost between Rs. 6 - 7000 for making donna and pattal out of leaves. The pattals and donnas made in machines are better, durable and trendy and hence also fetch better prices in market.

Production and Pricing

This being a non-nationalised produce, the figures of production is very difficult to get and guess.

And prices of leaves vary due to factors like quality and size of leaves, market demand and supply position. During royalty system, prior to 1986, rates were uniform, where as now they fluctuate due to increasing competition. These price fluctuations also happen at the level of primary collectors. Within a year, rates are highest in September and lowest in December as the leaves are large and green to start with and size diminished with passing session. Rates are also lower in interior areas due to higher transportation costs. In areas where collection is poor rates tend to be lower.

Economic Aspects

A person on an average can collect 5.5 kg per day as reported in surveys (Shukla and Bhatnagar 1994). A study reveals that collection of leaves gives employment of nearly 6 months in interior areas. The study's findings say that where as 112 days on an average are spent in interior areas, half of the duration is spent in peripheral areas. At the same time, the rates received by persons in interior areas are lesser then their counterparts in periphery.

Trade aspects

Prior to freeing it in 1986, the rights of collection of Mahul leaves were auctioned every year for each unit or range and granted to highest bidder. The leaves being non-nationalised item, not much significance was attached to quantity of leaves and royalty collected. Once a particular unit/ range was auctioned for collection, the trader had complete rights over declaring collection rate.

A study by SFRI, Jabalpur (by MC Sharma, R. Dobhal, S K Masih, and C B Sharma, 1997) on tribal markets in the Amarkantak Plateau reveal that the value of Mahul Patta and rope realised more then 60% share of the total value of commercial transaction in non-nationalised forest produces. The other major findings of the study are -

• 70 items are traded in the tribal markets over a period of one year accounting for nearly 40 tonnes of good worth Rs. 1. 72 crores
• Average rates of medicinal plants are higher then other produces
• The 4 months of rainy season account for 60% of NTFP trade in a whole year

Marketing of the produce, like other NTFP has inbuilt traditionally built channel operated by middlemen and traders. Traders get the leaves collected through agents who are given commission based on expenditure incurred. The traders enter into informal agreements over collection areas and rates. The agents advance 25 to 30 thousand rupees for collection of leaves.

As a result of this, a wide gap exists between collection price and consumer price. As per a study conducted in 1995 (1988), price spread in the marketing of Siali leaves show that net collectors' share comes to 42.1 (33.33) percent whereas traders account for 46.67% (45.2). Marketing cost accounts for the other 20 (12.6) percent. With increasing competition in the 1990s, as can be seen from above there has been reduction in traders margin and marketing cost. Still, due to distant markets, poor infrastructure facilities and lack of holding capacity, collectors are compelled to sell in village and thereby loose in the bargain.

The pattals and donnas are in great demand in state like Maharastra, Orissa and south Indian states. There are traders who exclusively deal with Siali leaves. Prices though vary over a year peaking up during marriage seasons. The leaves and pattals hence can be stored for sufficiently long periods of time and fetch high prices in marriage season. But it requires that much of working capital.