Kangra youth turns pine needles into eco-friendly planters, boosting rural jobs

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Dharamshala, July 12

A unique innovation by a young entrepreneur from Palampur is offering a sustainable solution to one of Himachal Pradesh’s recurring environmental challenges by converting dry pine needles into biodegradable planters that could help reduce forest fires while creating rural employment opportunities.

Every year, dry pine needles accumulating in the state’s forests contribute significantly to forest fires. In response, Palampur resident Rajan Minhas has developed biodegradable planters made from the dried needles under his organisation, Kankshi, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic pots.

Minhas said the idea stemmed from witnessing forest fires from childhood and a desire to find a practical solution. After nearly a year of research and development, the team successfully created a product that naturally decomposes in the soil and is resistant to fungal growth.

He said the initiative would help utilise pine needles lying in forests, thereby reducing fire hazards while generating new employment opportunities in rural areas. The product is currently undergoing testing by CSIR–Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) and other institutions to assess its suitability for large-scale use in agriculture and horticulture.

Minhas said women associated with the Shailja Self-Help Group are actively involved in manufacturing the planters. The group already produces incense sticks, dhoop and other products, which are sold through online platforms and various fairs. He added that the objective is to connect more people and self-help groups with the initiative to promote environmental conservation alongside local employment.

Kalpana, president of the Shailja Self-Help Group, said the women collect pine needles themselves and then process them using machines to manufacture the planters. She said the initiative not only helps clean forests but also provides self-employment opportunities for women.

She added that the group plans to introduce a special wax coating on the planters to further enhance their durability and usability.

Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa praised the initiative, saying that dry pine needles are among the major causes of forest fires in the region, and that converting them into biodegradable planters offers an effective and practical solution.

He said the district administration would scale up the innovation by linking it with self-help groups. Machinery and training would be provided through the State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM), while the administration would also promote the eco-friendly planters through various government programmes and public platforms.

According to Bairwa, the initiative is expected to encourage wider adoption of sustainable products, increase women’s incomes, and help reduce forest fire incidents across the region.