Thoothukudi Man Builds Spiral Staircase Around Palmyra Tree to Beat Labour Shortage

In an innovative solution to the growing shortage of skilled palm tree climbers, a 35-year-old labourer from Thoothukudi district has constructed a spiral iron staircase around a 55-foot-tall palmyra tree , making it safer and easier to climb for tapping padaneer (sweet palm sap) .

Dinakaraj , a resident of Salaiputhur village near Sathankulam , comes from a family that has been engaged in the palm industry for generations. Concerned by the dwindling number of experienced palm climbers, he invested ₹60,000 to build the customised staircase around a palmyra tree near his home.

Modelled on the design of a residential spiral staircase, the structure allows users to ascend the tree without the specialised climbing skills traditionally required. According to Dinakaraj, children, women and elderly people can climb safely with reduced risk of falling, making palm sap extraction more accessible.

He said the innovation could help palm tree owners reduce dependence on scarce skilled labour , a major challenge for the industry. Instead of waiting for experienced climbers to be available, landowners and family members can access the tree themselves to collect padaneer, potentially lowering labour costs and improving the timely harvesting of palm products.

The unique staircase has drawn widespread attention from local residents, many of whom have praised the practical approach to addressing a long-standing problem in the region's traditional palm industry. The innovation is also being seen as a simple, low-tech solution that could encourage wider participation in palm cultivation while improving safety for those working at height.