Pirul

Founder’s Story

We are Dr. Nupur Poharkar and Sharvari Poharkar, the sisterpreneurs behind PIRUL. Growing up, we were inspired by our father's dedication to community service. As a government veterinary doctor, he was frequently posted to some of Maharashtra’s most remote areas, where he implemented various schemes, promoted entrepreneurship, and raised awareness among villagers. Our mother too played a crucial role in educating tribal women. This upbringing deeply instilled in us a passion for rural development.

After completing my degree in veterinary science, I (Nupur) pursued a fellowship in rural development, which placed me in Khetikhan, a village in Uttarakhand's Champawat district. What began as a fellowship project evolved into PIRUL, a social enterprise that my sister and I took on together after the fellowship ended.

The Story

Khetikhan, a picturesque village in Uttarakhand, sits at an altitude of 1815 meters above sea level. It offers breathtaking views of the snow-capped Himalayas and expansive pine forests. The village's primary occupations are cattle rearing and agriculture. With many men migrating to cities for work, the women of Khetikhan shoulder the dual burden of farming and household chores.

Recent challenges, including climate change, erratic rainfall, and the increased threat of wild boars, have diminished agricultural yields. The Covid-19 pandemic further exacerbated the situation, leading to job losses and financial strain for many families.

In response to this crisis, we sought alternative livelihood solutions and discovered the potential of utilizing the abundant pine needles in the area. These needles, which decompose slowly and contribute to forest fires, also increase surface runoff and reduce groundwater levels. Removing them is crucial for environmental health.

The beautiful village of Khetikhan is situated in the hills of Uttarakhand at an altitude of 1815mts above sea level. The village is blessed with a scenic view of snow-covered Himalaya and the vast expanse of pine forests. The major occupation in the village is cattle rearing followed by agriculture. The majority of men have migrated to the cities in search of jobs, thus the responsibility of agriculture and cattle rearing along with household chores is solely shouldered by women of khetikhan.

However recently the change in cropping pattern due to climate change, erratic rainfalls, and increased menace of wild boars the efforts of the women do not bear many fruits; the income from agriculture is just meager. Also because of backmigration and loss of jobs to men due to Covid, the villagers were held in a financial crunch.

Owing to this situation there was an immediate need to create an alternate source of livelihood for the families. After contemplating on few ideas we decided to make use of pine needles which are present in abundance in the area. These pine needles degrade slowly in the environment and are a major cause of forest fire in the area. Pine needles are also responsible for increasing surface runoff of water and decreasing the groundwater table. It is thus very important to clear these pine needles from the forest surface.

Young girls help with household chores and mostly get married at the age of 20-22 and are burdened with all the responsibilities.

“The women after feel like they are trapped in a small place where their work is not valued and their aspirations suppressed. They wish to be financially independent and fulfill their small wishes”.

We are happy to have an all women team at Pirul. No Indian craft is purely decorative, it is also a way of sustenance. We at Pirul strive to find our identity through this initiative. Make sustainability your luxury statement and Shop with us (www.pirul.org) to bring a positive change in the life of our artisans.