The villagers of Tillia, Badsurua, Pudipalli, Sighaipalli, Bhagbanpali and Nuapada in Jharsuguda district and Rengali, Kurumkel, Govindpur and Mohudi in Bargarh district living near the Hirakud Dam reservoir eke out their living from khus-khus making these days.

The brown weed, locally known as "Bena Cher" or khus-khus, is used for making various items, mainly cooling pad, hand fan etc, which give relief from the blistering heat of summer and therefore,  high in demand. After water in the reservoir recedes, the entire area turns green with the growth of the plants.

While the roots of the plants are used to make khus-khus, the stem of the plants is split and coloured in natural dye, from which handicraft items are made. But the plant is more popular as a heat resistant. Come summer and one can see khus-khus screens hanging from doors and windows in offices and houses.

In rural areas, hand fans are made from its roots, which when dipped in water give the effect of air conditioners. Collection of these roots begins in February and continues till the dam is filled up with water with the onset monsoon.

During this period, there is abundance of these plants and almost every family gets into the khus-khus trade. Unfortunately, the villagers who toil hard to extract the root from soil do not get enough remuneration for the labour they put in.

Bhawani Oram of Badsurua village said, “We just get Rs 20 to 25 per kg depending on the texture of the root. But the middlemen sell it in the open market at Rs 55 per kg.”

Considering the situation, it is high time the Government marketed these products to agencies like ORMAS to protect the villagers from exploitation, demanded the locals.