Tuesday, 08 AUGUST 2023 | Vinod Chamoli | New Tehri
Though Pirul (dry pine needles) is considered a major threat to the environment as it also fuels forest fires and affects the soil, women in a part of Tehri district are using it to make Rakhis. Women of self-help groups in Jaunpur’s Tikri village are making attractive rakhis from the pine needles.
Many women including Sonam Devi, Nero Devi, Rekha Devi of Radha Rani self help group of the village are making eco-friendly Rakhis from Pirul in view of the festival of Rakshabandhan under the National Rural Livelihood Mission. Dry pine needles catch fire easily and are considered a major factor responsible for spread of forest fires in the mountainous areas especially during the summers. In view of this, the Forest department had given training to women to make Rakhis. Block mission manager Deepak Bahuguna said that giving edge to PM Modi’s campaign of local for vocal, women are working for three to four hours a day along with household chores. The value of the Rakhis has been kept from Rs 20 to Rs 100. He said that these Rakhis are being sent to nearby markets for sale. It is expected that these Rakhis will be easily sold in the market. At the same time, the women of Radha Rani self help group are also making various other products from Pirul. They have succeeded in their attempts to make items like baskets, pen stands, mobile stands and other products from the pine needles.
