Palmyra, a tall fan palm, yielding a hard wood and sweet sap, and a source of palm wine and sugar, is locally found in Nellore. The leaves are used for thatching and weaving. The central portion of the palm leaf, called ‘moungu akku’ is used in basketry. It is woven by women from the agriculture communities. Strips are also dyed to provide more patterns. Palm leaf strips are braided, plaited and interlaced in a variety of ways to create large containers for agricultural uses. The material is versatile and the local people have transformed it into numerous applications and form such as umbrellas, hats, sunshades and large basket. For contemporary markets and handicrafts emporia, a large range of baskets, trays and coasters are made using the coiled binding process. Here a spiralling core of palm leaf strands is wrapped around by another moving strip, which interlocks consecutive coils in a series of knots. The shape of the basket or tray is varied by changing the direction of the spiral. The concept of stringing forms, like in garland, have been adapted to make Christmas decorations and as door curtains. Palmyra is an important and significant tree of Tamil Nadu. Palm leaf products are eco friendly. Hence, programmes have been formulated with a long term view to grow and protect Palmyra trees and to develop product using skills that help sustain rural communities. Green leaves are harvested and dried in the sun. The midrib is separated from the palm leaf and the leaf is cut into strips of varying widths. A section of the midrib is folded over and used as a die to make uniform splits from the leaf. Strips are also dyed for ornamentation. Baskets and products are shaped either by weaving or coiling strips. The craft traces its origin to a rough palm leaf bag for storing onions which was exported in plenty from the Kulasai harbour. The paravars, a local fishing community who practiced palm basketry, introduced new products deriving ideas from goods that were imported from Sri Lanka. These nesting containers, boxes with lids, bins and trays have come to be associated with Manapad. The palm leaf cooperatives in Manapad supply to export markets and to retailers in Chennai and Bangalore who have developed new designs in collaboration with craftspersons. Palm leaf baskets for storing rice, fish and agricultural products, winnowing trays and pouches for betel nuts are made in several southern districts such as Tirunelveli, Ramanathapuram and Madurai.