The Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS), in collaboration with the district administration, is attempting a spectacular World Record at the annual Bali Jatra festival. The initiative involves the setting afloat of a massive fleet of 20,000 eco-friendly boitas (boats) meticulously handcrafted from sal leaves on the Mahanadi River.
This significant effort, timed for Kartika Purnima (the main day of the festival), powerfully combines Odisha’s centuries-old maritime heritage with a firm commitment to environmental sustainability and tribal empowerment.
The 20,000 miniature boats are a true testament to rural craftsmanship and eco-conscious celebration:
Artisan Empowerment: The entire consignment was crafted in just three days by approximately 160 members from 60 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the ORMAS’ sal leaf cluster, primarily from the Thakurmunda block of Mayurbhanj district. This provides a major economic boost and marketing platform for the tribal artisans.
Zero-Waste Festival: By utilizing sal leaves, a readily available, biodegradable forest product, the tradition of Boita Bandana (floating the boats) is observed without leaving any polluting ecological footprint in the Mahanadi River.
Tribute to Tradition: Each eco-friendly boat will carry a small earthen lamp (diya) sourced from ORMAS’ terracotta cluster, complete with wicks from a Cuttack-based wick-making cluster, illuminating the river in a vibrant, sustainable tribute to the ancient Odia sailors, the Sadhabas.
While the Cuttack Bali Jatra already holds a Guinness World Record for the most paper boats folded simultaneously (achieved in 2022), the ORMAS initiative is focused on setting a new benchmark for a large-scale floating of handcrafted, eco-friendly boitas, showcasing the rich artisan heritage of Odisha.
Joint CEO of ORMAS Cuttack, Bipin Rout, highlighted that the effort is part of a larger push to promote sustainable practices, noting that all food stalls at the concurrent national-level Pallishree Mela have been mandated to exclusively use leaf cups and plates, completely eliminating single-use plastic and thermocol from the venue.
The launch of 20,000 sal leaf boitas is set to be one of the most visually and symbolically impactful events of this year’s Bali Jatra, celebrating a perfect harmony of culture, community, and conservation.
