The jungle-based economy of Mayurbhanj district whose major revenue earner is wood and bamboo is fast collapsing.
Consequently, the craftsmen have been hard hit as plastic products have largely replaced the wood and bamboo ones.
The bamboo is hugely produced in Mayurbhanj and many people get a living from bamboo products as their traditional occupation.
Bamboo based products like bamboo utensils like Kula, and Dala, hand fan and other home based accessories were produced by these people.
These products too had many customers earlier. However, now plastic alternatives of these products have eaten into their market.
The plastic alternatives are cheaper and abundantly available.
Consequently, people have changed their tastes with time and are purchasing plastic wares.
Areas like Phulkamp, Godapalasa, Kuliposi, Khamansahi, Jhaadghosda and Kasipal where bamboo craftsmen inhabit are now a vanishing lot as bamboo products do not fetch them the required income. Their young generation has lost interest in the traditional occupation and is switching over to other occupations.
The State Bamboo Mission with its limited scope of operation has not provided the necessary impetus to save these people.