With an increasing potential as a ‘very Indian silk’ in the world market and the rising eco-friendly consciousness, India is emphasizing on growing more ‘vanya’ or forest-grown silk. It can also help compete with the Chinese silk industries.
Previously treated as a tribal craft of hill folks, the Indian vanya silk market lay distant second — after China — with 14 percent of the market share with annual production of around 17,305 metric tons of silk. It includes 15,445 metric tons of mulberry silk and 1,860 metric tons of ‘vanya’ silk. But, China accounts for about 80 percent of the world’s silk market.
In addition to competing the Chinese market, vanya silk is also eco-friendly because its cultivation does not affect the flora. Besides, the entire production process is eco-friendly.
But, what is now required, is the silk’s commercial exploitation without disturbing the ecological balance for providing quality livelihood for the tribals.
