Jorhat, Jan. 21: A research station working on the preservation, protection and improvement of the muga silkworm at Boko in Assam's Kamrup district has received the prestigious ISO 9001:2008 certification.
Delhi-based Absolute Quality Certification Private Limited assessed the Regional Muga Research Station in Boko for quality management system on December 18 last year and gave the ISO 9001:2008 certificate recently to the facility for rendering research, developmental, technical help to the muga industry in the Northeast and parts of Bengal.
The research station is under the Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute (CMER&TI) at Lahdoigarh here.
'Biodiversity conservation is an important component for protection of living beings in their natural habitat and eco-system. The muga silk moth ( Antheraea assamensis heifer) which produces the golden yellow muga silk constitutes a significant component of the wild silk moth genetic diversity which requires conservation for muga silk production and productivity,' K. Giridhar, institute director, said. A survey conducted recently has shown that the population of the muga silkworm is gradually declining owing to deforestation, rapid urbanisation and changing climate. At present, eight muga silkworm genetic resource have been collected from different parts of the Northeast, including Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.
'The station is taking serious action to conserve these wild silkworms which are being maintained ex-situ (natural habitat) in the germplasm bank at Damalgre at Tura in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills,' the director said. However, it was difficult for continuous conservation of generations of muga silkworm in ex-situ conditions because of their sterility during the summer months.
'Thus, the germplasm material is vulnerable to extinction thereby causing a threat to the muga industry. There is immense need for in-situ conservation of muga silkworms for sustainable development of the industry,' Giridhar said.
The station has developed two new technologies in the field of muga culture. Two high-yielding varieties of muga host plants - S-3 and S-6 - have been developed, which are resistant to foliar diseases and preferred by the silkworms. The research station is undertaking popularisation of these host plants among farmers apart from regular training, frontline demonstrations and pest and disease management programmes.
Muga is indigenous to the region and is one of the costliest silks with high tensile strength and protection against ultra-violet rays.
