Eco-friendly Environment of Tripura, India Prove to be a Boon for Tasar Cultivation on Zizyphus mauritiana L.

Abstract

Indian silk industry is the second largest producer of silk in the world. India has the unique distinction of being the only country producing all the five known commercial silk, namely, Mulberry, Tropical Tasar, Oak Tasar, Eri, and Muga. Among the four varieties of silk produced in 2015-16, Tasar accounts for 9.90%, i.e., 2,818 MT of the total raw silk production of 28,472 MT. In Tripura, the societies are well acquainted with only mulberry silk production. Temperature plays a very vital role in the growth of Tasar (Anthereae mylitta) silkworm also. Anthereae mylitta is a species of moth in the family Saturniidae known commonly as the Tasar silkworm and Vanya silkworm. This species is variable, with at least 44 identified eco-races, populations adapted to varied ecological conditions and food plants. Though Tripura is endowed with well demarcated sub-tropical and temperate zones with a low average temperature of 10°C in the winter season which rises to a maximum average of 35°C in the summer, it supports the cultivation of tropical Tasar silkworm in a very unique manner naturally. The present study analyzes the morphological behavior of the Tasar silkworm in a new environment and its interaction to that particular eco-friendly environment to facilitate the socioeconomic upliftment regarding the sericulture practices exhibited by the rural people of the state of Tripura. This study also proves that in the near future Tasar culture will become a boon to the poor people along with Mulberry cultivation.