Pachyderm paper

A group of women in Karuwalagaswewa, which has been a flashpoint of the human-elephant conflict, have started a small business producing paper from elephant dung and the “Ali Maana” plant.

The project first commenced in 2012 under a government grant of Rs 13 million. However, just Rs 3.1 million of this money was received and there has been no government assistance from then on. The women persevered despite this setback, but they are fighting an uphill battle. Their small business was saved after a businessman from Kadawatha stepped in to continue funding it.

The women now have two suppliers who provide them with the elephant dung and plants needed to make the paper. Their hand-made paper is turned into many products.