Members of the Soliga tribal community on M.M. Hills use Lantana Camara to earn a livelihood by making furniture from them. The use of the invasive weed was introduced to around 50 villagers in 2004 by researchers at Asoka Trust for Research into Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bengaluru. There are now three centres at M.M. Hills itself. The success of the M.M. Hills experiment has seen the concept spread among other tribal hamlets.
Envisioned by researchers at Asoka Trust for Research into Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bengaluru, over 50 villagers were trained since 2004 to use lantana and develop market linkages for the furniture
A view of the center at MM Hill where Soliga tribal community at MM Hills have been trained to use the invasive Lantana species to make furniture.
Soliga tribal community at MM Hills have been trained to use the invasive Lantana species to make furniture. With demand booming, the concept pioneered by ATREE (Ashoka Trust for Research into Ecology and the Environment) has yielded results in two fronts: permanent employment for tribals as well as control of Lantana within eco-sensitive forests.
The plant is uprooted and the sticks collected in neat bundles weighing more than 30 kg each. The bundles are then boiled and the bark peeled off. In the next few weeks, the sticks are fashioned, bent, nailed, tied and glued on to form furniture — stools, sofas, beds, bookshelves and more.
Though away from retailers for now, the demand — placed through direct orders only — is soaring.
The success of the M.M. Hills experiment has seen the concept spread among other tribal hamlets. Over the years, ATREE as well as Soliga tribals are called to forests of south India to train others in making furniture.
The weed is used to make stools, sofas, beds, bookshelves and more. Though away from retailers for now, the demand — placed through direct orders only — is soaring.
The weed is used to make stools, sofas, beds, bookshelves and more. Though away from retailers for now, the demand — placed through direct orders only — is soaring.
Envisioned by researchers at Asoka Trust for Research into Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bengaluru, over 50 villagers were trained since 2004 to use lantana and develop market linkages for the furniture
The weed is used to make stools, sofas, beds, bookshelves and more. Though away from retailers for now, the demand — placed through direct orders only — is soaring.