By transforming an invasive aquatic weed into eco-friendly paper, two young innovators are rewriting the story of Assam’s wetlands — one sheet at a time.
For decades, the lush wetlands of Assam have been plagued by an uninvited guest — a vibrant green invader that floats across water bodies like an emerald carpet. Known locally as pani meteka and more infamously as the Terror of Bengal, the water hyacinth has long been an ecological nightmare. It strangles rivers, depletes oxygen, blocks sunlight, and turns thriving ecosystems into stagnant swamps.
But in the quiet town of Guwahati, two passionate changemakers looked at this menace and saw… paper.
Not just any paper — but Kumbhi Kagaz, a tree-free, biodegradable, 100% chemical-free alternative that’s turning India’s handmade paper industry on its head.
A Wild Idea Takes Root
It all started with a python.
“We were releasing a rescued python into the wild,” recalls Rupankar Bhattacharjee, 27, a wildlife enthusiast and co-founder of Kumbhi Kagaz Pvt. Ltd. (KKPL). “That’s when I first heard about how water hyacinth was choking our wetlands.”
The warning came from herpetologist Dr Jayaditya Purkayastha, who would go on to mentor Rupankar. Curious and concerned, Rupankar dug deeper — quite literally. He began studying the plant’s anatomy and unearthed a revelation: despite its notoriety, water hyacinth is incredibly rich in cellulose and hemicellulose — the very stuff great paper is made of.
“It’s lignin-poor,” Rupankar says, “which makes it perfect for papermaking, and also a whole lot more sustainable.”
What followed was a series of kitchen-sink experiments during the COVID-19 lockdown. Armed with DIY equipment, plant pulp, and a relentless sense of purpose, Rupankar began crafting prototypes. The results were promising — and just weird enough to work.
Enter Aniket Dhar, 24, a like-minded friend and co-founder, who teamed up to transform this wild idea into a tangible product — and later, a startup.
Kumbhi Kagaz: From Wetland Weed to Writing Sheet
Named after jala kumbhi (Sanskrit for water hyacinth), Kumbhi Kagaz isn’t just a paper brand — it’s a story of reclaiming, rethinking, and reimagining what waste can be.
Where traditional paper production involves 12 water-intensive, chemical-laden steps, KKPL does it in four — using just two litres of water per A4 sheet (compared to the industry average of 15-20 litres). And the raw material? 100% water hyacinth. That’s it.
By 2023, the paper began selling through an online store and B2B channels. Artists loved it. Environmentalists endorsed it. Customers celebrated it.
It wasn’t long before their work caught international attention. KKPL won the UK WasteAid Zero Waste Cities Challenge in Guwahati, earning a €10,000 grant. They scooped up more accolades from Assam Downtown University and the India Pitch Pilot Scale Startup Challenge.
Then came the big moment: a mention in Prime Minister Modi’s Mann Ki Baat. Later, at Advantage Assam 2.0 in 2024, the PM personally visited their stall.
“We were stunned,” says Aniket, still sounding starstruck. “It felt like a dream to see our work recognized at that level.”
Scaling Up, One Wetland at a Time
In a little over two years, KKPL has processed over 92 tonnes of water hyacinth into paper — and they’re just getting started.
“We’re not trying to eradicate the plant,” explains Dr. Purkayastha, “because it still supports bird habitats. We do controlled harvesting — it’s all about balance.”
Production, which once stood at 1,000 A4 sheets a month due to drying space issues in Guwahati, has now moved to Kaziranga, home to Assam’s iconic national park. The new location has not only solved the drying problem but is also creating green jobs for local farmers and artisans.
Next stop: Goalpara, where they plan to launch another facility.
And while the cost of producing one sheet is currently ₹15, Rupankar and Aniket are confident that scaling up will bring that down to ₹1. Their machines can churn out 40,000 sheets a day. All they need is the space, the sun, and the time.
Turning the Page on the Paper Industry
India’s handmade paper industry is on the rise — projected to grow from $2.5 billion today to $10 billion by 2030. KKPL has already made sales worth ₹20 lakh, but their vision stretches far beyond numbers.
“This isn’t just about paper,” says Rupankar. “It’s about shifting mindsets. About showing people that even the most destructive weed can become something beautiful, if you just look at it differently.”
Kumbhi Kagaz isn’t just a product. It’s a statement — loud, green, and pulpy.
So next time you scribble on a sheet of eco-paper, imagine this: a floating menace from Assam’s wetlands, now tamed into art, letters, and poetry. The Terror of Bengal no more — just the quiet revolution of handmade hope.