Ranchi (Khunti): In the forests of southern Arki block in Khunti district—once known for Naxal activity and opium cultivation—a new story of development is being written. The villagers of Chalkad are now producing lemongrass oil on their own initiative. Village head Abraham Munda, while demonstrating the process, said that the community is steadily moving towards self-reliance.
With the support of the district administration an organization named Seva Welfare Society initiated lemongrass cultivation in Chalkad, Kulburu, and other opium-affected villages. Encouraged by
the enthusiasm of the villagers, the administration established a lemongrass distillation unit in Chalkad itself. This is the first such unit in the southern Arki region, equipped with a boiler and a chimney—now seen as a symbol of development and self-sufficiency.
Village head Abraham Munda and farmer Lukas Munda shared that due to continuous rainfall
this year, harvesting was delayed causing the lemongrass plants to mature excessively, which resulted in a lower oil yield. However, they added that after the current harvest, the plants will regrow within three months, and the next yield is expected to produce more oil.
The specialty of this distillation unit is that it can extract essential oils not only from lemongrass but also from aromatic herbs like basil and marigold.
Villagers say the unit marks a major step toward economic self-reliance. The Gram Sabha (village council) of Chalkad is now demanding the establishment of other value-added industries such as lac, chironji, tamarind, and sal seed processing units.
According to village head Abraham Munda, “We want to see Chalkad develop as an industrial village. This initiative will provide employment
to our youth and completely free our village from the image of opium cultivation.”
The efforts of these villagers send a powerful message that with the right direction and collective initiative, the
light of development can shine even
in the heart of the forest.
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