Odisha: Violence erupts over kewda flower cultivation in Ganjam

Ganjam: A violent clash took place between two groups in Sindurapalli village under Chamakhandi police station in Ganjam a couple of days ago. The dispute occurred over the collection of kewda flowers, which is a big source of income for the people of the region. More than 20 people got injured in this violence. People of both groups used sharp weapons during the fight. Some of the injured are in critical condition.

Police reached the spot and started an investigation into the matter to find out why this violence occurred and who the culprits were. Locals are trying to pacify the situation and assure that such incidents will not occur again. Eyewitness statements are being recorded.

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Ganjam district is known in the country for the huge production of kewda flowers and its oil, which is often used in perfumes and food flavouring. The district’s contribution to kewda production is immense, which is nearly 90 percent across the country. The significant thing is that the flowers have received the stamp of Geographical Indication (GI) status due to their valuable quality and production in traditional methods.

It is expected that more than 200 villages across the district are involved in traditional distillation units, preserving the culture of the region along with providing incomes to farmers. Currently, about 200,000 people are involved in kewda flower collection, which is their main source of income. This unfortunate incident may be harmful for those who are working in kewda cultivation, which may affect their livelihoods.