Tambul Leaf Plates:
Creating Sustainable Livelihoods in Assam

 

Tambul is the Assamese term for arecanut or betelnut. The arecanut palm is one of the commercial crops of Assam. This palm is very common throughout the state with 70,542 hectares of arecanut plantations.

During the flowering season of the trees, the sheaths widen and fall down. These can then be used to make viable and environmentally friendly products, an alternative to the highly polluting but commonly used plastic plates. The sheath attached to the leaf of the arecanut palm could not find any useful application.

Dhriti began setting up rural micro-enterprises that utilise the arecanut sheath in the production of disposable plates and bowls. Tambul plates are eco-friendly, natural, organic and biodegradable. Their non-chemical characteristics makes the microwave-oven and refrigerator friendly.

At present, approximately 100 units promoted by Dhriiti in Barpeta, Baska, Bongaigoan, KarbiAnglong, Jorhat and Golaghat districts of Assam are successfully making and selling these products.
 
"The Assam State Government now supports this initiative through various schemes wherein they are willing to fund the training and purchase of machines for such projects" says Arindam Dasgupta, CEO, Tamul Plates Marketing Pvt. Ltd.


Dhriti offers support to rural producers interested in establishing these micro-enterprises through capacity building, technical, financial and marketing training. Professional training in entrepreneurial and soft skills required to set up an enterprise is also provided.

The technology used is simple. The machinery has been designed specially for the rural market so it is low on cost and maintenance; it does not require use of physical strength and can be easily operated by women. The plates produced by these micro-enterprises in the state are sold under the Tamul Plates Marketing Pvt. Ltd. banner. This project currently staffs around 2000 employees in rural Assam.
 

This project has been identified as a new economy initiative and it forms a part of Development Alternatives’ latest programme Mainstreaming Alternative Perspectives. With Keystone Foundation, TARA, Udyogini, HESCO, and Chintan as Hub Partners is working towards identifying and mapping new economy ideas that follow an environmentally sustainable and socially just model of development.


As the world faces high rates of natural resources depletion, this initiative shows that livelihoods can be created without harming the environment. The Tambul Leaf Plates initiative is an excellent illustration of a new sustainable economy initiative. It provides a source of income for the unemployed young people of Assam. It has engaged them in productive activities, made women independent, discouraged deforestation and actively promoted protection of the local ecosystem. q

Seher Kulshreshtha
skulshreshtha1@devalt.org

 

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