Amid a world grappling with environmental challenges, Dharaksha Ecosolutions shines as a ray of hope. Founded in 2020, the startup based in Faridabad has embarked on an innovative mission to address a pressing environmental issue. Co-founded by Anand Bodh and Arpit Dhupar, Dharaksha Ecosolutions is on a quest to convert paddy straw stubble into biodegradable packaging material, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future.

Driven by a shared commitment to combating pollution and offering a sustainable alternative, the founders recognized the urgency of the issue, particularly in the face of rising cases of stubble burning in India. Dharaksha, a combination of two Hindi words, "Dhara" meaning earth and "Raksha" meaning saving, reflects the startup's mission to save the earth from pollution.

Dharaksha achieves its innovative approach by using mycelium, a mushroom root, to decompose paddy straw and transform it into eco-friendly packaging materials. They have cultivated a unique mushroom species that thrives on stubble waste as its food source. These materials are not manufactured; they are grown, staying true to their commitment to nature.

These biodegradable packaging materials offer a sustainable alternative to plastic and thermocol. They can decompose in just 60 days in normal soil and have a shelf life of more than three years. Dharaksha's products are designed for secondary packaging and come with impressive qualities like moisture resistance, thermal resistance, fire retardancy, and water resistance.

Dharaksha procures stubble from farmers through a network of aggregators, enabling them to tackle the issue at its source. Their goal is to reduce stubble waste burning by 40% over the next six to seven years, a significant step towards curbing pollution and its detrimental effects.

The startup has ambitious expansion plans, aiming to set up manufacturing plants across India and potentially mitigate over 23 million tonnes of stubble waste. With a focus on sustainability, Dharaksha is well on its way to making a substantial impact on the environment.