Bhubaneswar, Sept. 2 -- For Odias, coconut is much more than just a fruit. It is part of weddings, pujas, festivals and everyday meals, and for many families, the trees growing in their backyards have also been a source of income. But on World Coconut Day, observed on September 2, a worrying change is becoming harder to ignore. Coconut trees are slowly disappearing from Odisha villages and towns, leaving the state increasingly dependent on coconuts brought in from elsewhere.

From breakfast plates to traditional remedies, almost every part of the coconut tree has a use. For families with even 10 to 15 trees, the crop can help meet both household needs and expenses. Coconut water, fruit, leaves and fibre all find a place in the local econo...