Umarkote, 28th Oct 2025: In the rural areas of Umarkote, located in Nabarangpur district, tribal communities earn their livelihood by collecting and selling various forest products. Among these, sal leaves are one of the most important sources of income.
The tribals collect sal leaves from the forest, bundle them together, and sell them in local markets. Using thin bamboo sticks, they make sal leaf plates and bowls, which provide them with a decent income. Additionally, they sell twigs of sal and karanja trees as natural toothbrushes. Through these activities, they earn around ₹500 to ₹600 per day.
During festivals and special occasions, their earnings increase as the demand for sal leaf products rises — from household feasts to hotel and temple offerings. Even offerings to deities are traditionally served on sal leaf plates. Most households in the region use these eco-friendly plates for social and religious functions.
In Umarkote, many hotels and eateries serve food on sal leaf plates, which are not only biodegradable and environmentally friendly but also considered beneficial for health.
The sal forests of Umarkote have become a source of livelihood for many tribal families. Just as Koraput is famous for coffee, the people of Nabarangpur proudly say that Umarkote is known for its sal leaves.
Locals believe that if the government takes initiatives to promote forest development, it will further enhance employment opportunities for forest-dwelling communities while also contributing to environmental conservation.
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