Abstract
Muga the golden-yellow silk produced by ‘<i>Antheraea assama</i>’ is found only in the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam-India. This species of silkworm is semi-domesticated in that the rearers collect the worms that crawl down at the end of their larval period. They are allowed to spin cocoons in the rearer's houses. The gleaming golden yellow silk is referred to in literature from as long as 1662 BC. The ‘<i>Antheraea assamensis</i>’ is cultivated especially in Brahmaputra valley because it’s characteristic ecological requirements are found only in its natural abode. The declines of Som (<i>Machilus bombycina</i>), Soalu (<i>Litsaea ppolyantha</i>) plantation areas in rearing and sericulture farms have pushed Muga silk towards the verge of extinction. Encroachment in government Som plantation (host plant) areas is one of the prime causes of decreasing food availability of Muga silk worm. If measures are not taken the Muga (<i>Antheria assamensis</i>) heritage of Assam may face extinction in the near future. Considering the ecological conditions, food plant distribution, presence of eco-types and species of diverse nature in co-existence, it is speculated that this region is a possible home of origin of <i>Antheraea.</i> In this paper the researcher emphasizes the possibility of sustaining community livelihood in the Brahmaputra valley of Assam, India.
Highlights
The Muga silk rearing is confined to the North-East India, the Brahmaputra valley of Assam
In Assam ‘Som’ tree provides the principal food for muga silkworms which produce the golden coloured silk that is very specific and prestigious to Assam in the Brahmaputra valley of India and found nowhere else on the globe [5]
The state of Assam is a center of diversity for som tree with rich source of genetic diversity and it is reservoir of valuable gene pool [13]
Summary
The Muga silk rearing is confined to the North-East India, the Brahmaputra valley of Assam. This is perhaps, due to pleasant climatic conditions and distribution of wide range of muga host plants in this region [14]. In Assam ‘Som’ tree provides the principal food for muga silkworms which produce the golden coloured silk that is very specific and prestigious to Assam in the Brahmaputra valley of India and found nowhere else on the globe [5]. The land races are genetic resources for the development and improvement of modern varieties. These land races are reported by several workers [9]
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