UDAIPUR,November 20 (TIWN): Once upon a time Jampui Hills used to enjoy the crown of the 'Queen of Hiils' in Tripura due to orange cultivation. No doubt the oranges produced in Jampui Hills are really very tasty. But over the years another place has emerged as suitable for orange cultivation. This area , located at around 35km distance away from the Gomati District Headquarters Udaipur, is known as North Baramura Hills under Killa R D Block. And now the North Baramura Hills at a distance of 25km from Killa R D Block is second only to Jampui in orange cultivation. Initially orange cultivation began here under state govt assistance. But now almost all the planters are doing it as private ownership.

Birendra Koloi is the by far the most well known orange cultivator in this area with 700 orange trees planted in his 2 hector area of land. This year also around 40000 oranges have been produced. Already 9000 oranges have been sold out and more than 30000 are still hanging from these trees. Speaking to TIWN Birendra Koloi said," This year depending upon the size and quality of oranges, I have sold out four (4) oranges @ Rs 50/- ,Rs 30/- ,Rs 25/- and Rs 20/- and the lowest rate so far is Rs 12/- per 4(four) oranges. "

     All on a sudden many oranges have started to fall from the branches of the trees. As a result of it Birendra Koloi is now gripped with serious concern. Birebdra Kolou told TIWN," I don't know the reason behind this sudden fall. And I don't have any training to prevent such large number of falling. If the Govt can provide us with necessary training and with medicines we could have easily prevented this loss. Moreover, this year the demand for these oranges is also high . And it would have surely brought huge profit."

     Another orange planter Uttam Koloi too is very happy as the production this year is very high. Speaking to TIWN," People living in North Baramura area are now mostly dependent on orange cultivation. At present naturally web are very busy in collecting oranges from the garden and marketing them . But still we feel that the Govt must come forward with adequate training for us . " Meanwhile many wholesale fruit sellers are now coming to North Baramura to buy these oranges. But if the oranges that have already fallen into the ground are not sold out immediately , it will cost the planters huge loss.

     In this connection TIWN had a chat with BDO KILLA R D Block Raju Deb, who said ," From the govt we are trying to provide necessary assistance to these orange cultivators. We are promoting orange cultivation in North Baramura hills with an object of encouraging tourism potentiality."