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3D Printing Offers Hope to Indigenous Communities and Rare Animals

The dense lowland rainforests of Arunachal Pradesh, nestled in the northeastern region of India, are not only home to a diverse range of wildlife but also to the Nyishi community, the largest Indigenous tribe in the state. Traditionally, the Nyishi men wear an ornate byopa—a handwoven cane cap adorned with the upper beak and casque of a great hornbill and an eagle’s claw at the back. They also carry machetes fitted with the jaws of clouded leopards or tigers, symbolic of the spirits of the jungle rulers. However, as wildlife numbers decline and hunting poses a threat to rare animals, one man from the Nyishi tribe decided to seek a solution that would protect both traditions and wildlife.

Source: DW News/YouTube

In January 2020, Nabam Bapu, an entrepreneur, teamed up with his friend Anang Tadar, a tech innovator, to create an alternative to traditional headgear by utilizing 3D printing technology. Their mission was to replicate animal parts without harming any creatures, reducing the demand for real animal pelts and body parts.

It took two years of extensive research and experimentation to identify suitable materials for the 3D printing process. They explored a range of synthetic resins, plastic materials, wood, and even fire-resistant glass. The duo is also striving to incorporate plant-based and eco-friendly resins into their production process, aiming to minimize the environmental impact of their products.

This initiative is part of a global trend to protect the traditional practices of local communities while safeguarding endangered species. Across southern Africa, Panthera, a wildcat Conservation charity, introduced the Furs for Life program in 2013. This program focused on creating synthetic leopard fur to replace real leopard skins used for capes, worn by followers of Shembe, one of South Africa’s largest Indigenous churches. As a result, the project successfully reduced the use of real leopard skins for these capes by 50%.

Back in Arunachal Pradesh, Bapu and Tadar carefully crafted their 3D-printed replicas and presented them to village elders for approval, ensuring that the quality and accuracy of the imitations matched real animal parts as closely as possible. Their startup company, Arunachal Ivory and Ornaments, has managed to produce more than 100 replicas of animal teeth and talons, including those of the clouded leopard, tiger, and eagle. The venture is currently working on 3D printouts of a great Indian hornbill’s beak.

The state of Arunachal Pradesh boasts a rich cultural tapestry, with 26 major tribes, including the Nyishi, Adi, Galo, Apatani, and Tagin, each cherishing its unique traditions. Despite efforts by the state government to preserve these customs by encouraging the use of traditional attire, the demand for real animal parts remains high. Wild animal parts are coveted symbols of status and spirituality, leading to exorbitant prices in the black market.

While authorities attempt to combat poaching and illegal wildlife trade, the remote and expansive landscape of Arunachal Pradesh poses challenges in effectively monitoring such activities. However, Arunachal Ivory and Ornaments is determined to contribute to the fight against the illegal trade in a unique way, offering synthetic alternatives that protect both wildlife and cultural heritage.

Rajkamal Goswami, a conservation researcher with a decade of experience in northeast India, highlights the importance of local community adoption for the success of such initiatives. Encouraging influential local institutions to embrace these synthetic products could significantly curb hunting activities.

Bapu firmly believes that their enterprise can make a difference, emphasizing the potential of technology to safeguard wildlife and preserve cultural practices. By choosing to use technology for the greater purpose of Conservation, they demonstrate that tradition and innovation can coexist harmoniously.

The innovative efforts of entrepreneurs like Nabam Bapu and Anang Tadar inspire hope that through technology and a collective commitment, Indigenous communities and wildlife can thrive side by side, creating a brighter and more sustainable future for Arunachal Pradesh and beyond.

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