Tamils being an ancient ethnic community, have close connections with the Palmyra Tree. The palm tree is weaved into the life, language and culture of the Tamils. The qualities and specialities of the palm are mentioned in the Sangam period historical texts including Tolkappiyam, Thirukkural and Silappathikaram. Vignesh B -young law student and researcher with the Environmental Wing of the Naam Tamilar Party traces the importance of the Palm tree in Tamil life, the reasons for its decline over the decades and current steps being taken to revive this ecological wonder with so many environmental, employment, empowerment and economic benefits. The story has lessons for other regions to reorient their agricultural practices.

HOME TO TAMIL NADU, where it is designated as the Official State Tree, the palm is found all over the Indian subcontinent. Out of the estimated 8.59 cores of Palmyra in India, about 5.10 cores of palmyra are in Tamil Nadu. Ancient Tamil literature texts have been handed over through generations through palm-leaf inscriptions as they have a long life span of 120 years and can attain a height of 100 feet and more. Regional boundaries were marked using palm trees.

The root system of the Palm has a central fibre surrounded by a spongy layer that stores water. With a huge volume of water in their tubular roots, it increases the water table level of the locality. Thus it has a greater capacity to turn arid land into highly fertile land with rich groundwater resources. This was perhaps the reason for the early Tamils planting palm trees around the water resources like rivers, tanks and wells in large numbers. The tree could also withstand natural calamities like a magical wall. 

In the recent past, Tamil Nadu has witnessed several natural calamities. During Cyclone Gaja that hit the east coast on November 16, 2018, huge branches snapped and trees were uprooted. However, most of the Palmyra trees stood firm and rooted. While coconut trees were broken into two or even four parts, the palmyra trees stood unaffected.

During cyclones, the Palmyra trees stood firm and rooted.

Palm Tree Nungu, Palm Syrup, Palm jaggery and Palmyra Sprout are some of the edible palm products from the Palmyra trees that are good for health.  Palm leaves are used for roofing and in various handicrafts, while mature palm trees are used to make wooden frames. As the palm tree gives various benefits it is called “Karpaka Virutsam”.  

In recent times, there has been a steady decline in the number of Palm trees. According to one estimate, some sixty years ago the number of Palm trees in Tamil Nadu was around 300 million whereas they are now estimated to be only 50 million. 

Succumbing to the race of modernity, there is a growing tendency of deviation from the usage of palm products in the state of Tamil Nadu. The number of people engaged in palm products related occupations is also on a decline. A lot of Palm related products are not available as many of the occupational methodologies have become extinct. Workers involved in palm product-related jobs are also facing economic issues and not receiving a proper market for their products. Their livelihood has hit the rock bottom. The entire palm-based economy in the state is on a decline.

Acknowledging the importance of Palm Trees in fuelling an alternative economy, which is eco-friendly, historic and which has a huge capacity for job generation, the Environmental Wing of the Tamil party -Naam Tamilar Katchi has made a special mention of the Palm Tree industry in its election manifestos over the years. 

The party’s environmental wing also conducts a Palm Fest every year to sow Palmyra seeds in lakhs of numbers all over Tamilnadu. This initiative has received appreciation from all over and the other political parties are also enamoured with the project. 

I urge the Thamizh Nadu government to take steps to increase the production of palm products, improve the livelihood of palm workers, and modernize the palm industry.

Senthamizhan Seeman, Chief Coordinator, Naam Tamilar Party

This year, Naam Tamilar Katchi took the initiative to the next level. A planned Palm Expo comprising Palm product sellers and workers was organised in a modern-style exhibition. NTK Chief coordinator Senthamizhan Seeman, inaugurating the Palm Expo emphasized the importance of palm trees and the market based on Palm products. 

Releasing the NTK’s “Draft Palm-based Economic Plan” document, Seeman explained the need to revive the palm-based economy. He also urged the Thamizh Nadu government to take steps to increase the production of palm products, improve the livelihood of palm workers, and modernize the palm industry. 

Seeman elaborated, “The value of toddy-based products extracted from a single palm tree is Rs. 4,000, the value of Jaggery-based products is Rs. 6,000, the value of palm-based products from a single tree amounts to Rs. 10,240 approximately. The total potential revenue generation from 5 crore palm trees in Thamizh Nadu is Rs 51,200 crore. 

The exhibits included the contemporary issues of Toddy Drawers and Manuscripts written on palm leaves. displayed by the Thamizh Retrieval Wing.

The unique Palm Expo showcased home needs and decorative items made of palm trees, succeeded in creating awareness among the public. Significantly, Palmyra artefacts and palm-fruit juice sweetened with black jaggery became the bestsellers. A total of 400 kg of black and brown jaggery were sold out at this expo. The palm honey by the ‘Semmai Angadi’ was completely sold out.  People appreciated the artisan’s skill in making unique handicrafts which were eagerly lapped up by the hundreds of visitors to the expo. 

“Participants at the two-day expo -from vendors to buyers expressed the desire that this should become an annual event

Vennila Thayumanavan, State Secretary, Environment Wing, Naam Tamilar Katchi

The exhibits also illustrated the contemporary issues of Toddy Drawers. There were Manuscripts written on palm leaves displayed by NTK’s Thamizh Retrieval Wing.

On the fun side, the expo was abuzz with activity as children played with toys made of palm leaves, nothing short of a gala for them. 

“Participants at the two-day expo -from vendors to buyers expressed the desire that this should become an annual event and that gradually it should become the harbinger of a revolution,” said Vennila Thayumanavan, the sheet anchor of the event and State Secretary of NTK’s Environment Wing. 

With special interests in Ecological Conservation and Environment, Vignesh. B is a student of Law and a member of Naam Tamilar Katchi. He is adept at taking up documentation for legal steps against anti-environment projects.