Alternative to Plastics: Giant Leaf of Macaranga Nicobarica

Aren’t we  hurriedly looking for options in finding out alternatives to the polypropylene bags that are flooding in market  this  Diwali. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is the top most  organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.  The ICAR has its headquarters at New Delhi. The Council manages excellent research and education in agriculture in the entire country. It is engaged in cutting edge areas of science and technology development and its scientists are internationally acknowledged in their fields.

The ICAR through the twitter platform has recognised The Giant Leaf of Macaranga nicobarica an Andaman Nicobar native has been reported to be a  potential as an alternative to plastic food wrappers and plates. This plant is being hailed by researchers in Kerala as the next best alternative to plastic packaging. It is colloquially called as Vattayila in malayaam.

A specimen is currently being nurtured at the Vellanikkara campus of the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) in Thrissur reports Mathrubhumi.