Bhubaneswar: The Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department today signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Central Silk Board, Bengaluru and Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department for the ‘Vanya Silk Programme in Odisha’.
Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Mona Sharma was present during the inking of the MoU.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) and Head of Forest-Force Sisir Kumar Ratho, Chief Executive Officer and Member Secretary, Central Silk Board Rajit Ranjan Okhandiar, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Shubha Sarma spoke on the project.
The MoU was signed by Pradeep Raj Karat, CCF (PP&A) and CEO, State CAMPA on behalf of the Forest Department, Sushanta Dash, Director Textiles and Handloom on behalf of the Textiles and Handlooms Department and Siva Prasad, Director (Technical), Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
This MoU will pave the way for the implementation of the “Odisha Tusser Silk Development Project (O-TSDP)” in the State for the creation of livelihood of forest dwellers through Tusser Sericulture activities.
This proposed five years project will lead to livelihood creation for the members of VSS by adopting Sericulture farming and create a wider scope for sustainable development and women empowerment along with employment generation
through Mission Shakti WSHGs across the State.
The Tusser Forestry activities cover the plantation of Asan and Arjuna Food plants for the rural, especially, the tribal farmers. Tusser Worm rearing and cocoon production will be taken up by the Odisha Forest Department through VSS in 18 Forest Divisions of the State.
The sericulture wing of the HT&H Department will provide technical support for Tusser favouring host plantation and take up the marketing of Tusser Cocoon through a network of 59 Primary Tusser Rearer Cooperative Society (PTRCS) and Serifed.
The Central Silk Board, GoI will support the programme with funding under Silk Samagra-II for the proposed project.
On this occasion, a small video on Vanya Silk from Keonjhar Forest Division and a short film on the empowerment of women in Tasar farming of Bhagamunda were presented.
Manoj Mohapatra, RCCF coordinated the programme, while Meeta Biswal, PCCF and Project Director, OFSDP offered the vote of thanks.
