In a significant move to revive the dying art of traditional earthen pottery, the Darak Tourism and Social Welfare Foundation (DTSWF) recently organized a village-level consultative meeting at Sala Potom village in the West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The initiative centers on restoring the production of “Takam Pisi”—the local Galo name for clay pottery—utilizing a massive, ancient clay source located at Kamru, roughly 1.5 kilometers from the village.
Historically, this site served as the primary pottery hub for the entire upper belt of West Siang. However, with the advent of modernity approximately 36 years ago, the craft was abandoned as households transitioned to plastic, aluminum, and brass utensils. DTSWF Managing Director Jummo Potom stated that reviving this heritage will align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and Gandhian principles of community development. The multi-pronged project aims to generate sustainable rural employment, establish a small-scale village pottery industry, minimize shifting (jhum) cultivation by offering alternative livelihoods, and promote heritage-based tourism.
To ensure structured execution, the foundation plans to form the Kamru Cooperative Society under a dedicated monitoring committee. Additionally, they will secure government support to provide professional training to local couples. The proposed clay site spans an area of over 49,000 square meters at an elevation of 1,013 meters, ensuring an abundant supply of raw material. The village community—including clan elders, self-help groups, women, and youth leaders—has enthusiastically lauded the proposal, promising full cooperation for the execution of the pilot project. Officials believe that restoring this ancient practice will successfully transform Sala Potom into a self-reliant cultural and economic model.
