High temperatures drive throwback to nipa leaves for thatching in Manaung Twsp

By DMG 17 Mar 2022

DMG Newsroom
17 March 2022, Manaung

Many people in Arakan State’s Manaung Township are reverting to nipa palm leaves to roof their houses, according to local nipa leaf sellers.

Nipa leaves were previously widely used in Arakan State as thatching, but later largely replaced by tin. The demand for nipa leaves has increased recently, however, according to nipa leaves seller U Tun Min from Manaung.

“People did not use nipa leaves much after tin roofing sheets hit the market. Nipa palm owners were barely making any profit. But more people are using nipa leaves recently,” he said.

One-hundred “sheets” of nipa leaves now fetch between K20,000 and K23,000 in Manaung Township, according to sellers.

Rising daytime temperatures have fueled the demand for nipa leaves, said Manaung resident Ko Tun Tun Saw, who cited the radiating of heat from metal warmed by the sun.

“As tin is durable, most people used it previously for roofing. However, there are fewer trees now, and the weather is also hot. So, people are using tin with nipa leaves, which help cool the heat down,” he said. “Some have completely replaced tin roofing with nipa leaves, while some put nipa leaves under tin roofs.”

Roofing made with nipa leaves typically must be replaced every three years. Due to increased demand for nipa leaves in Manaung, local sellers have even had to order nipa leaves from neighbouring Taungup Township.