From waste to wealth: Pine needle crafts and artificial flowers at Mandi workshop

In a unique initiative aimed at fostering sustainability, livelihood generation and hands-on learning, a nine-day skill enhancement workshop on “Eco-Friendly Pine Needle Craft Items and Artificial Flower Making” is currently underway at Vallabh Government College, Mandi. Organised by the Department of Botany under the aegis of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, the workshop began on July 15 and will conclude on July 23.

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The workshop is designed to creatively address environmental concerns such as forest fire hazards caused by dry pine needles, by transforming these into useful, marketable craft items. The initiative aligns with the ‘waste to wealth’ philosophy, encouraging participants to convert locally available natural resources into sustainable livelihood opportunities.

A total of 50 participants are attending the workshop, including 35 botany students, 10 commerce students and five rural women from Unnat Bharat Abhiyan-adopted villages — Dharyana, Larwhan, Sadyana and Thount. The hands-on sessions aim to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application, nurturing eco-conscious entrepreneurship among youth and women.

Speaking on the occasion, Principal Sanjeev Kumar highlighted the broader benefits of such skill-based training. “These workshops not only boost creativity but also help divert students from harmful distractions like excessive mobile use and substance abuse. They empower students and rural women to build meaningful, self-reliant futures,” he said.

The workshop is being actively facilitated by Prof Tara Devi Sen (Head, Botany Department), Prof Anuj Kumar and Santosh Kumar (Commerce Department), Prof Deepali Ashok and Nitu Pathania, with strong support from dedicated laboratory staff. The collaborative learning atmosphere has inspired enthusiasm among participants, who are gaining both confidence and practical skills.

As the workshop continues, participants are expected to create a variety of eco-friendly decorative and utility items, laying the foundation for potential micro-enterprises in the region. The initiative stands as a model of how academic institutions can play a pivotal role in promoting environmental stewardship, rural empowerment and skill-based education.