Weeds to Wealth: Turning an invasive weed into sustainable furniture, promoting tribal livelihoods

Forest-dependent indigenous tribes across India are marginalized communities, struggling to make a living. One such community, The Soliga community, lives in the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRT) and Malai Mahadeshwara wildlife sanctuary (MM Hills). They have an average household earning is $1 a day. These communities depend on Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) for their livelihoods. ATREE has worked with the Soliga community for over 2 decades. During this time, ATREE noticed that the Soliga's ability to forage NTFPs significantly decreased, due to the spread of an invasive weed, Lantana camera. Lantana, one of the world's most invasive weeds, occupies more than 47% of the forest’s floor. It hampers the growth and multiplication of native forest biodiversity. Several organizations attempted one-time removal of Lantana. Yet, they found that lantana came back, and continued to hamper the Soliga's ability to generate income.

To help increase income, ATREE tested using lantana as a livelihood resource. ATREE piloted the "Weeds-to-Wealth" program- using lantana to make furniture. home accessories, and crafts. ATREE’s innovation of converting “weeds-to-wealth” creates a win- win scenario. It improves tribal livelihoods, while promoting forest biodiversity and conservation. The COVID-19 pandemic has made this initiative even more critical. Marginalized communities need alternative sources of income, as urban migration for livelihood purposes has proved difficult.

The Weeds-to-Wealth program is working (see impact below). The COVID-19 Pandemic has made us accelerate our plans to scale the program. We are looking to generate 36 lakh for the artisans. 1) 6 lakh of working capital take new orders 2) 15 lakh to rent a warehouse for 12 months in Bangalore to store their products 3) 15 lakh to upgrading tools and infrastructure to scale their work .

Impact to date:

ATREE has witnessed a 42% increase in the Soliga master craftsmen’s/women’s household income. As many as 350 Soliga individuals have been trained in this craft, with 20 master craftsmen/women. Many craftsmen also go to neighboring villages to conduct trainings and have trained another 400 craftsmen. Approximately 113 households are now involved in this craft and an average income has risen from $30-$40/month to $100/month.

Today, we have set up 3 Lantana Craft Centres and continue training the local Soliga communities in this craft. The product line is continuously evolving. Lantana craftsmen are even making bespoke pieces of art out of lantana- life-size elephants – earning 1500 USD/piece. ATREE has also helped the Soligas exhibit their handiwork at different podiums in and around Karnataka and facilitated collaborations with other NGOs for increased opportunities. Now the tribal artisans run their business through Lantana Craft Centres based microenterprise. 

ATREE’s new centre, Centre for Social and Environmental Innovation (CSEI) is now working with Social Venture Partners to develop a scalable business model around the sale of lantana furniture by local artisans.