Latest news with #EcoDevelopmentCommittees
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Kumbhi Kagaz Uses Water Hyacinth to Create Chemical-Free Stationery in Assam
We have seen paper crafted from elephant dung, plantable diaries embedded with seeds, and bamboo pens. Adding to the list of eco-friendly stationery products are Rupankar Bhattacharjee and Aniket Dhar, who are turning water hyacinth into stationery at Kumbhi Kagaz in Guwahati, Assam. The idea for the initiative emerged from an unexpected moment in Nature, says Rupankar, who is also a wildlife conservationist. 'While releasing a rescued python back into the wild, as members of the NGO Help Earth, we became aware of the destructive impact of water hyacinth on local water bodies. During this experience, herpetologist DrJayaditya Purkayastha, also our mentor, shared his frustration with the invasive plant and its ecological consequences,' says Rupankar, 27, adding that under Jayaditya's guidance, he and Aniket began researching the plant. They discovered that water hyacinth has a high cellulose and hemicellulose content, making it a promising raw material for papermaking. 'During the COVID-19 lockdown, we started experimenting with handmade paper using DIY methods and successfully developed our first prototypes. Around the same time, we co-founded The Inside Out Program, focussed on conservation awareness through trekking and biodiversity documentation.' Their current product range includes notebooks, journals, and calendars that are compostable, and chemical-free. In 2021, the duo won the UK-based WasteAid Zero Waste Cities Challenge – Guwahati, and soon after, they bagged the Tide 2.0 title at Assam Downtown University Venture Labs and the India Pitch Pilot Scale Startup Challenge. Taking us through the process, Rupankar says they follow a traditional handmade papermaking process, with modern interventions introduced to improve efficiency and sustainability. First, water hyacinth is harvested from wetlands and allowed to dry naturally, either near the collection site or at the processing area. Once dried, the fibrous parts of the plant are cleaned and cut into small pieces that are ground with water to create a smooth pulp, which forms the base of the paper. Next, this pulp is poured into a vat and lifted with a screen to form a thin, even layer of wet paper that is stacked and pressed to remove excess water. After being air dried, the sheets are flattened and trimmed by hand for final use. 'We've made specific innovations in pulping and machinery, which allow us to produce chemical-free paper using invasive water hyacinth as our primary raw material,' says Rupankar. At the brand's Deepor Beel unit (in Guwahati, Assam), the duo have collaborated with a small group of farmers from the surrounding wetland and trained local artisans from the same community to participate in the paper production process. 'In Kaziranga, we are working closely with Eco Development Committees (EDCs) and Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) to involve local communities in conservation-linked livelihood generation. In Goalpara, where we are setting up a new unit, we aim to engage over 300 farmers in harvesting and supplying water hyacinth,' says Rupankar. But is the process costlier than creating other recycled paper variants? 'Our papermaking process is entirely handmade, which makes it approximately five times higher than conventional machine-made recycled paper. This has been especially evident at our smaller unit, where limited drying space has led to production delays and increased costs,' explains Aniket, 24. However, with the setup of our larger production unit, he aims to significantly reduce per-unit costs. In addition, the duo is looking at creating products beyond stationery. 'We're currently testing vegan leather alternatives derived from plant fibres and waste, aiming to create durable, eco-friendly products for the lifestyle and accessories segment,' he says, 'We're also experimenting with the eco-packaging market, developing products like coasters, honeycomb wraps, and water hyacinth-based paperboard.' As they scale up production, Aniket says their goal is to 'democratise access to sustainable materials'. 'We want to ensure that conscious consumption becomes not just a choice, but the norm. You can also look forward to new product lines, deeper community engagement, and more climate-positive innovations that align with our mission of restoring wetlands and supporting green livelihoods,' he concludes. Journals upwards of ₹500 on
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kaziranga becomes 3rd most visited national park with 35% tourist surge
Guwahati: and Tiger Reserve (KNP&TR) has emerged as India's third most visited national park, behind only Periyar (Kerala) and Ranthambore (Rajasthan). The park recorded 443,636 visitors from Oct 1 last year to May 18, marking a 35% overall increase and a 25% rise in foreign tourists. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Field director Sonali Ghosh attributed this surge to high-profile visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and over 60 Heads of Mission accompanied by external affairs minister S Jaishankar. She highlighted the significant 18,463 foreign visitors as evidence of Kaziranga's growing reputation as a symbol of conservation and premier destination for wildlife enthusiasts. "Kaziranga's tourism boom stems from diverse activities, improved infrastructure, high-profile visits, strategic marketing, successful conservation efforts, economic benefits, and the park's natural appeal," Ghosh said. Infrastructure upgrades including better roads, eco-friendly accommodations, and enhanced visitor amenities have made the park more accessible, she said. Under chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's leadership, Kaziranga has established itself among global tourism destinations, she added, saying, "The Assam govt has prioritised and incentivised electric safari vehicles in its recent budget." Aggressive marketing campaigns and govt-led initiatives have promoted Kaziranga as a premier destination, she said, adding that hosting major events such as the International Tourism Mart from Nov 26 to 29 last year also increased its global appeal. The park's successful conservation of the one-horned rhinoceros continues to attract wildlife enthusiasts while stimulating the local economy through job creation in hospitality, transport, and handicrafts sectors. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now She highlighted that proactive efforts have promoted off-beat tourism in buffer areas: "From cycling at Laokhowa during silk-cotton tree blooms to boat safaris across the Brahmaputra and specialised birding trails, we've focused on wellness and outdoor experiences." "A key initiative was establishing eco-shops operated by the Kaziranga Staff Welfare Society, providing markets for eco-friendly products from local Eco Development Committees," she added. The park closes for tourists from Monday until the next tourism season.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Pench in Madhya Pradesh turns tiger territory into 26 Mowgli lands, now safe play zones for kids
BHOPAL: What began as a response to a safety concern in a remote village has now grown into a widely praised model of community-led conservation and child welfare . Under the Pench Tiger Reserve 's innovative project, 26 Mowgli Bal Udyans—special play parks for children—have been set up across forest buffer villages in Madhya Pradesh. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These parks, named after the famous Jungle Book character Mowgli, are now being expanded to include reading rooms and libraries, giving children safe places not only to play, but also to learn and grow. The initiative has received such strong community support that local political leaders are now asking to be invited as chief guests for park inaugurations—showing the project's growing social impact and recognition. The idea took shape in Savangi village in April 2024, after a young girl was attacked by stray dogs while playing near the forest. In response, Pench management, along with Eco Development Committees (EDCs), proposed creating a safe play area within the village. The proposal was quickly accepted, and the first Mowgli Bal Udyan opened on 22 April 2024. Since then, the project has expanded into the Rukhad, Karmajhiri and Turia ranges, with 26 parks built in just one year. These parks are the result of joint forest management: local communities choose the land, layout, and facilities, while the forest department provides technical and financial support. The parks have made a real difference. Children now have safe and fun places to play, keeping them away from dangerous forest edges, roads, and rivers. Many parks are located close to schools and Anganwadis, helping improve school attendance and early learning. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Each park includes educational signs to teach children about forest life, wildlife, and the importance of protecting nature. The parks have also become community spaces where villagers—especially women and elders—can gather, relax, and socialise. To support learning, Mowgli Reading Rooms have been opened in Belgaon and Chitapar, stocked with children's books and learning materials. These libraries are looked after by the children themselves, helping to build a love for reading in villages with few educational resources. To keep these parks clean and active, children's groups called Friends of Mowgli have been formed in each village. These groups take care of plants, maintain the parks, and lead celebrations on days like Environment Day and Wildlife Week. This encourages responsibility, leadership, and care for the environment. The initiative is also helping the forest in other ways. Villages have become cleaner, tree planting activities have increased, and cooperation with forest staff on wildlife safety and fire prevention has improved. Even local leaders who once stayed away from forest issues are now showing interest and support. With rising human-wildlife conflict in the area, Pench officials see this as part of a bigger plan. 'As the wild animal population grows in Madhya Pradesh, peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife is more important than ever. At Pench, we believe projects like Mowgli Bal Udyan, Sayane Mowgli Ki Cycle, Bagh Raksha Divas, and Bagh Chaupal are big steps in that direction,' says Rajnish Kumar Singh, Deputy Director of Pench National Park and one of the main leaders of this initiative. The Pench Tiger Reserve covers over 1,179 square kilometres and is surrounded by more than 100 villages. These new efforts are building trust and shared responsibility between the forest and its people. As one senior official said, 'These parks are more than just playgrounds—they are safe spaces where learning, community, and conservation come together from the ground up.'
