Mizo kids script success story, make paper from betel nut husks
Aizawl: Students of St Paul’s Higher Secondary School in Aizawl have come up with innovative idea of producing paper from areca (betel nut) husk.
One of the students involved with the project, R Lalnuntluangi, said, “We have reached a stage where each family must contribute towards waste management. Uncontrolled disposal of waste have led to landslides, and pollution of air and water. We must find a way to recycle our waste.”
As Mizoram is high in consuming betel nuts, students of St Paul’s Higher Secondary School have come up with the idea of utilising the husk of the nut, which is otherwise thrown as a waste. Under the supervision of Reginal Institute of Paramedical and Nursing School (RIPANS), Mizoram Food Processing, Research and Training Centre (MFPRTC) and science scholars from Mizoram University, they started the initiative of converting the husk into paper.
In this project, they have proved that there is cellulose in the husk and when extracted can become a useful component in paper making. If this project becomes successful, they are hoping that a whole betel nut can be put to use without any waste -- the nut for consumption and the husk as paper.
The students are also hopeful that this project is only a stepping stone to utilise the husk for bigger purposes other than paper.
