Unique Blend of Tourism & Community Action Is Saving a Centuries-Old Tree in Tamil Nadu

Under the bright sun of Tamil Nadu’s coastal plains, tall silhouettes of Palmyra trees rise against the sky, their fan-shaped leaves swaying gently in the wind. For centuries, these trees have stood quietly along village edges, near ponds, and across fields — watching generations grow up around them.

At dawn, climbers scale their towering trunks to collect sweet sap. By afternoon, women weave baskets and mats from their sturdy leaves. In village kitchens, fruits like nungu and palm sprouts make their way into everyday meals.

It is this remarkable relationship between people and the tree that has earned the Palmyra its name as Tamil Nadu’s “Tree of Life”.

Yet today, this living symbol of heritage faces a slow decline. As landscapes change and traditional livelihoods disappear, the knowledge systems built around the Palmyra risk fading away.

At a time when heritage knowledge and ecology are under pressure, a Pondicherry-based organisation called Outdoor Being is working to bring the tree back into focus — not just as a symbol of the past, but as a living ecosystem that continues to sustain communities.

From its towering presence in the landscape to its rich significance in Tamil traditions, the Palmyra tree provides food, shelter and livelihood to local communities.

Celebrated in the Tamil literary classic Tala Vilasam for its 801 documented uses, from food to medicine, craft to construction, the Palmyra is known as karpaga vruksham, the celestial tree that sustains life in multiple forms.

It is central to Tamil culture and appears in literary epics such as Silappadhikaram and Manimekalai, preserved on palm leaf manuscripts made from the tree itself.

A livelihood rooted in generations

For Pandiya, a Palmyra tree climber from Narasinganur in Villupuram district, the tree has shaped his family’s life for generations.

His family has worked with Palmyra trees for at least eight generations.

“I have lived alongside Palmyra trees my entire life. They are deeply woven into my daily routine and have become a part of who we are. The products, medicines and opportunities the tree provides feel like a blessing and give our lives a sense of meaning,” he explains.

“Our family has followed this livelihood without interruption, and I hope future generations will continue it as well. This way of life is sustainable, self-reliant and supports the local economy of our village.”

The work, he adds, keeps them healthy and brings them happiness.

Food, medicine and everyday use

For centuries, Palmyra has been deeply integrated into daily life.

The sap is used in traditional remedies for skin conditions, digestion and dental care, while fruits and products such as nungu (ice apple), pathaneer (sap) and Palmyra sprouts are staples in local diets.

Founder of Outdoor Being, Puviarasan S, explains that earlier generations understood the tree’s value through everyday use.

“Earlier, people learned about Palmyra’s medicinal value through everyday use. The sap was commonly used for skin problems, digestion and even dental care, while the fruits were part of regular meals.”

Today, renewed interest in traditional foods has brought attention back to Palmyra products.

“For example, people once believed Palmyra jaggery was sugar-free. Now there is better awareness that while it is not sugar-free, it is richer in nutrients like iron, potassium and calcium,” Puviarasan notes.

Ecological importance of the tree

Beyond its cultural role, the Palmyra tree also supports ecosystems.

Its deep roots help stabilise soil and retain groundwater, while its presence in coastal areas has helped communities withstand environmental shocks.

During the 2004 tsunami, Palmyra groves along the coast acted as natural barriers, protecting several areas from severe damage.

The tree also supports biodiversity by providing habitat for birds and insects while enriching soil health in surrounding landscapes.

Decline of a cultural and ecological icon

Despite its importance, Palmyra trees have seen a steady decline.

Once estimated at over 51 million across Tamil Nadu, their numbers have dropped to around 30 million.

This decline reflects broader socio-economic changes, including urbanisation, changing livelihoods and the gradual disappearance of traditional skills such as Palmyra climbing.

As the trees disappear, the knowledge systems and communities that depend on them face increasing uncertainty.

Used in Hindu, Christian and Islamic rituals — from offerings to festival crafts — the Palmyra tree also serves as a shared cultural symbol. Its decline risks eroding not only ecosystems but also cultural memory.

“Over time, we’ve reduced Palmyra to a symbol — something seen on roadside edges or in textbooks,” Puviarasan says.

“We’ve overlooked the skills of climbers depending on it and the intergenerational knowledge built around it.”

Revival efforts: Policy and community action

Recent state-led efforts aim to revive the Palmyra population.

Under the Green Tamil Nadu Mission, the government has begun planting Palmyra seeds across several districts to strengthen climate resilience and restore ecological balance. While there is no official consolidated record of the total number of seeds planted under the mission, independent efforts by organisations like Green Needa have planned the plantation of 1 crore Palmyra seeds across coastal districts and along the Cauvery river belt.

These large-scale planting drives aim to regenerate the tree population while supporting communities that depend on it.

Reimagining Palmyra through travel

Complementing these efforts, Outdoor Being is reintroducing the Palmyra tree through immersive, community-led tourism.

The Pondicherry-based organisation designs experiences that allow travellers to engage directly with the landscapes and people connected to the tree.

“Growing up in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the Palmyra tree was always around me,” Puviarasan says.

“For Outdoor Being, it represents exactly what we stand for — slow, rooted travel that values knowledge systems already present and amplifies them through tourism.”

Through experiences such as the Palmyra Safari in Kanyakumari and Palmyra Trail in Thoothukudi and Villupuram, travellers witness sap tapping, taste local foods sourced from the tree and meet artisans who craft products from Palmyra leaves.

So far, Outdoor Being has engaged 45 travellers through these experiences, directly supporting two families of climbers and artisans across two villages — Bahour in Puducherry and Panangadu in Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram district.

These experiences are designed to help visitors understand how the tree shapes everyday life.

Outdoor Being’s programmes also include guided walks through Palmyra groves, educational sessions on its climate resilience and traditional medicinal value, and participation in cultural events such as the Panai festival.

By combining storytelling with immersive travel, these initiatives transform visitors from passive tourists into active participants in preserving the tree’s legacy.

Learning from the Palmyra

For many travellers, the experience reshapes their understanding of how deeply a single tree can sustain life.

Dr Preethi, a PhD holder from Mizoram University who travelled with Outdoor Being, says the experience revealed the tree’s true significance.

“Before my experience, I knew the Palmyra mainly through its products such as ice apple and sap,” she says.

“What surprised me was realising how this tree supports life. Every part, from top to bottom, has a use — food, shelter, tools and livelihood. It sustains communities across seasons.”

The Palmyra tree reveals how a single species can hold together ecology, culture, livelihood and memory.

Through thoughtful, community-led tourism, Outdoor Being offers a way to encounter this living heritage with care — where travel becomes a form of participation rather than consumption.

And where preservation begins with understanding the roots that sustain us.

Sources: 

‘Response of coastal vegetation and the need for green belts along the Tamil Nadu coast, India: The December 2004 tsunami experience’: Published in Digital Repository Service

‘Environmental agencies to launch palm seed plantation drive in Cauvery delta region’: by The Hindu Bureau, Published on 11 June 2024.

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