In the lowland rainforests of Arunachal Pradesh in north-east India, various animals like tigers, clouded leopards, eagles, and hornbills can be found. This region is also the home of the Nyishi community, the largest Indigenous tribe in the state. The men of this tribe wear a traditional headgear called a byopa, which is a handwoven cane cap adorned with the upper beak and casque of a great hornbill at the top edge, and an eagle’s claw at the back. They also carry a machete with either a short, squat jaw of a clouded leopard or a much larger one of a tiger.
Nabam Bapu, an entrepreneur from the Nyishi tribe, explains that wearing the parts of these powerful animals signifies a connection to their spirit and a responsibility to protect the people. However, Bapu has always been troubled by the hunting and wearing of rare animals when their populations are declining. In January 2020, he joined forces with his friend Anang Tadar, a tech innovator, to find an alternative by using a 3D printer to replicate the animal parts.
Their startup company, Arunachal Ivory and Ornaments, has produced over 100 replicas of animal parts, including the teeth of clouded leopards. They spent two years sourcing raw materials like synthetic resin, plastic, wood, and fire-resistant glass for their products. They are now exploring the use of plant-based and eco-friendly resin as well. Bapu and Tadar regularly seek the approval of their village elders to ensure the quality and authenticity of their replicas.
This initiative in Arunachal Pradesh is just one example of projects worldwide that aim to preserve local traditions while protecting animals from being killed for their pelts and body parts. For instance, Panthera, a wildcat conservation charity in southern Africa, launched the Furs for Life program, which creates synthetic leopard fur to replace real leopard skins used for capes.
In Arunachal Pradesh, the demand for wild animal parts remains high due to cultural and traditional practices. Bapu highlights the exorbitant prices of these parts on the black market, making them unaffordable for many. While the state government is trying to combat poaching and the illegal wildlife trade, monitoring these activities is a challenging task.
Arunachal Ivory and Ornaments hopes to contribute to the fight against this illegal trade by providing alternative replicas. However, their success depends on the adoption of these products by the local communities. Bapu believes that using technology for a greater purpose, such as saving wildlife and preserving cultural practices, can make a significant difference.
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