Going gets tough for leaf plates makers

“We used to collect leaves from the forest areas. These are nature-friendly, which can be disposed of easily. Each plate costs Rs 2 and most leaf plate makers were earning Rs 500 to Rs 700 daily before the Covid-19 outbreak. Now, it has become difficult to sustain our livelihood.” — A villager

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, May 25

The Covid-19 outbreak has affected traditional leaf plate makers in Mandi district. Over 100 families are dependent for their livelihood on leaf plates, which are used to serve food during many functions.

The plates are made of “taur” plant leaves available in forest areas of the district.

Since March 25, their business has come to a halt. They are finding other ways to earn their livelihood. Mandi district is famous for “Mandyli Dham” during marriage and religious occasions. They prefer leaf plates to serve food, benefiting plate makers.

Covid-19 has spelled doom to their business. Marriage parties, religious gatherings or other celebrations have been stopped, reducing the demand of leaf plates to zero.

Baldev, a native of Grahan panchayat, and Suresh Kumar of Pandoh told The Tribune, “We used to collect leaves from the forest areas. It is nature-friendly, which can be disposed of easily. Each plate costs Rs 2 and most leaf plate makers were earning Rs 500 to Rs 700 daily before the Covid-19 outbreak. Now, it has become difficult to sustain our livelihood.”