Daspalla, a region once rich in forests and wildlife, is slowly losing one of its most traditional and eco-friendly trades. For generations, tribal families here have made khalis (flat plates) and tholas (deep bowls) from sal and siali leaves. This skill not only provided them with income but was also a part of their identity and way of life. Sadly, this beautiful craft is now close to dying out. 
People used sal leaf plates and bowls at weddings, festivals, roadside food stalls, and even hotels. The products were cheap, biodegradable, and deeply connected to local culture. Making these items was more than a job—it was a tradition.
Their work is hard, and the money they earn is very little. Every morning, men, women, and children walk 8 to 10 kilometers into the forest to gather leaves. After collecting them, they spend hours stitching them into plates and bowls. One bundle (called a mala) contains 50 bowls. A family may be able to make 10 to 20 bundles in a day. But for each bundle, they are paid only ₹20. That means they earn just ₹200 to ₹400 a day—far too little to meet their basic needs like food, education, and health care.
The Problem of Landlessness
Apart from low income, many of these families face another major problem—they don’t own the land they live on. Most of them live on forest or government land without legal documents. This creates several serious issues:
A Glorious Past
In earlier times, Daspalla’s forests were full of sal trees. The leaves were collected and turned into plates and bowls by villagers in places like Kulurukumpa, Jamusahi, and Badagoth. Almost every tribal family in these villages was involved in this work. Their products were used widely across Odisha, especially in cities such as Jatni, Bhubaneswar, and Puri.People used sal leaf plates and bowls at weddings, festivals, roadside food stalls, and even hotels. The products were cheap, biodegradable, and deeply connected to local culture. Making these items was more than a job—it was a tradition.
Tough Times Today
Unfortunately, things have changed. Today, fewer people use these natural products. Plastic and paper items have taken over the market. As a result, the demand for sal leaf plates and bowls has dropped sharply. The families who once earned a living from this trade are now struggling to survive.
Their work is hard, and the money they earn is very little. Every morning, men, women, and children walk 8 to 10 kilometers into the forest to gather leaves. After collecting them, they spend hours stitching them into plates and bowls. One bundle (called a mala) contains 50 bowls. A family may be able to make 10 to 20 bundles in a day. But for each bundle, they are paid only ₹20. That means they earn just ₹200 to ₹400 a day—far too little to meet their basic needs like food, education, and health care.
The Problem of Landlessness
Apart from low income, many of these families face another major problem—they don’t own the land they live on. Most of them live on forest or government land without legal documents. This creates several serious issues:
- They can’t build permanent houses or get help under housing schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
- Their children can’t get caste or residence certificates, which blocks access to free school uniforms, textbooks, and scholarships.
- Without documents, they are left out of welfare programs such as ration cards and health insurance.
A Failed Attempt at Revival
Back in 2000, the government tried to help. A sal leaf production center was opened in Buguda Colony with help from ORMAS. The aim was to give artisans better tools, training, and access to bigger markets. Sadly, the project failed due to poor management and corruption. The center shut down, leaving the artisans disappointed and forced to go back to their old way of working.
What the Artisans Are Asking For
Even now, the artisans have not given up. They are asking the government to take the following steps:- Give land titles and housing support so families can build proper homes.
- Help with documents so their children can go to school and get benefits.
Support their business by:
- Providing small machines to reduce hard labor.
- Helping them sell their products in government shops, fairs, and online.
- Training them to make new designs, including decorative items.
- Giving financial support through low-interest loans and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
- Restart the Buguda Colony center with proper planning and fair management.
Conclusion
The decline of the sal leaf craft in Daspalla is not just an economic problem—it’s the loss of a cultural and environmental tradition. If the government does not act soon, this valuable skill may disappear forever. The artisans are asking for support—not just to save their jobs, but to protect a piece of Odisha’s heritage. The time to act is now.
Ratnakar Hota
Journalist
Ratnakar Hota is a journalist as well as an enthusiastic environmentalist and wildlife conservationist. He is also a passionate storyteller and development writer focused on rural livelihoods, tribal traditions, and sustainable practices in Odisha. With a deep interest in preserving disappearing crafts and cultures, they aim to bring grassroots voices to the forefront through impactful and human-centred narratives.
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