Dry forests. Pine needles. Fire hazards. Lost livelihoods. In Khetikhan, a small village of Uttarakhand, disaster piled up by the bundle—until one woman turned the tinder into a torch.
Where others saw danger, Dr. Nupur Poharkar, who was on a rural fellowship, saw design. What followed was not just a product innovation, but a social revolution. Along with her sister, Sharvari, she began Pirul Handicrafts—a sustainable, women-led initiative that would go on to redefine what empowerment could look like in the far off mountain villages.
Using coiling techniques passed down generations and training provided through Pirul, the rural women now handcraft exquisite products from pine needles: clutches that tell stories, coasters that carry tradition, jewelry that sings of the soil it came from. From handwoven bags to eco-friendly home décor, ethical fashion accessories, and custom gifting solutions, each Pirul product is built with the same three ingredients: discarded pine needles, skilled hands, and pure heart.
What once fueled destruction now fuels livelihoods.
Today, Pirul isn’t just a name. It’s a movement. It’s a community. It’s the story of numerous local rural women who found financial independence, purpose, and pride in their work.
But Pirul isn’t only about products. It’s also about preserving Himalayan culture. About creativity rooted in sustainability. About showing the world that when women are given tools and trust, they don’t just work—they build legacies.
This isn’t your usual handicraft enterprise. This is the awe-inspiring amalgamation of eco-friendly innovation and authentic artistry. This is a social impact engine dressed up as a lifestyle brand.
So the next time you hold a Pirul brooch or gift their coasters at a housewarming, know that they aren’t just handmade products. They’re a beacon of hope—for women, for survival, and for the ethereal beauty of the Himalayan forests. And with every purchase, the light keeps getting brighter.
