Use of metal and plastic/fibers in place of wood

I visited a tribal village named Majuli, an island , in Assam, India. This tribal group living here is called Missing. From many generation back they use to use things made out of wood and bamboo, but with the advent of steel, plastic/fiber, they have started using utensils made of steel and plastic. Moreover this island on the river Bramhaputra, is breaking its bank and gradually submerging day by day. People of this island reduced use of wood and started tree plantation to save this island from disappearance.