Muga silk (Antheraea assamensis) as means of sustaining livelihood in rural areas-a case in Brahmaputra valley of Assam-India

Assam is literally a ‘Silk country’ where silk culture is rooted in the rural life and culture of Assamese people. This is the only state in India and the world where Muga silk (Antheraea assamensis) is grown. Geographical isolation of Muga silkworm is indicative of its special requirements for geo-climatic conditions that prevail in this region i.e. high humid temperate climate and forest vegetation of primary and secondary host plants. Thus, this species is phylogenetically less adaptive reaching its ecological isolation that is indicative of being on verse of extinction. The declines of Som (Machilus bombycina), Soalu (Litsaea ppolyantha) 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 (Antheria assamensis) heritage of Assam may face extinction in the near future. In this paper the researcher emphasizes the possibility of sustaining livelihood and conserving environment among the rural folks of the Brahmaputra valley in Assam, India.