Palmyra Toddy Neera Tapping Tamilnadu Tirunelveli

The Palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer) is the state tree of Tamil Nadu and the basis of a traditional livelihood system practiced by the Nadar community in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts for centuries. Palmyra tappers (Graamam) climb palms 15-20 metres tall before dawn to collect sweet Neera sap from the inflorescence, which is sold fresh or fermented into toddy. Palmyra products include jaggery, sugar crystals, palm wine, palm root flour, and palm fruit (nungu). Tirunelveli Palmyra Products Cooperative helps tappers earn from ethanol and refined palm sugar, reducing dependence on toddy. Palmyra leaves are also used for traditional Olai scripts and basket weaving in nearby Manamadurai.