The nation-wide ban on single-use plastic has come as a boon for local folks, especially women in villages of the hill State of Himachal Pradesh, who are involved in making traditional leaf plates and bowls as the demand for these eco-friendly products is currently on the rise and fetching them improved returns.
To aid the makers of leaf plates and bowls, the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is motivating community groups to prepare leaf plates and bowls using machines instead of doing it manually in order to meet the increasing demand for leaf plates. The ban of single use plastic items has been in place since July 1.
Under a project titled ‘Improvement of Himachal Pradesh Forest Ecosystems Management and Livelihoods’, the department is also ensuring that there’s no shortfall in the supply of quality leaves, by planting specific species such as ‘ Bauhinia vahlii’ in the forest adjoining to villages of trained community groups.
