At Taruveda, we are committed to creating sustainable Palash Siali leaves compostable plates. These indigenous trees are not only known for their health benefits but also hold cultural significance in India. Our mission is to empower communities and conserve nature while providing meaningful employment opportunities.
Many marginalized communities in India, including indigenous tribes, face the risk of losing their culture, language, and traditional art forms. Supporting them with stable livelihoods is crucial for preserving their way of life. For centuries, Siali leaves, obtained from the Siali creeper (Phanera vahlii), have been used by rural communities for various purposes. The arrival of spring brings hope and prosperity to the lives of Kondh tribal communities in Orissa, who depend on Siali for their sustenance and resilience. To conserve and regenerate Siali, these communities observe the Siali Utsav, a traditional festival.
However, deforestation has posed challenges in procuring Siali leaves, especially for rural women who rely on them for their livelihoods. As part of our sustainability efforts at Taruveda, we work closely with these women, providing support for preserving and planting more Siali trees and assisting in leaf collection. On average, a day's collection of Siali leaves can yield enough to make 100-200 plates. Through our initiatives, we have been able to increase the incomes of these women by 100%.
In addition, we prioritize training and upskilling programs for tribal women to learn the art of plate-making. We also maintain stringent quality control measures and continuously strive to implement the best sustainable practices in our manufacturing facilities. Customer feedback is invaluable to us in driving improvements to our materials and overall products, and we are dedicated to incorporating these suggestions to ensure our products meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability.
At Taruveda, we recognize the far-reaching ramifications of depleting natural resources and the importance of preserving nature for future generations. Our vision is to create a sustainable world by empowering communities that have been the custodians of nature for generations. We believe that through our efforts, we can make a positive impact on the livelihoods of marginalized communities, conserve precious resources, and contribute to a more sustainable future. We have partnered with Vistaraku, an enterprise that shares our passion for bringing sustainability into everyday life - both with our products and in practice. Together, we have been able to take leaf-based products globally with our joint efforts towards reducing waste and reviving soil health to sustain mother nature. Our partnership with Vistaraku is an important and strategic step towards expanding the usage of plant-based cutleries and making a meaningful impact on the environment.