In a bid to promote production of silk in Uttarakhand, State Silk department in association with the central silk board will carry out plantation of thousands of mulberry trees on 1,050 acres of land under cluster promotion plan. The site for plantation has already been identified.
The department has selected 1,050 acre of land in three clusters in two blocks of Pauri district that has environmental condition conducive for the growth of mulberry trees. Two clusters will be developed in Yamkeshwar block followed by one in Jaiharikhal.
A committee, comprising two officials each from the State directorate and central silk board, and farmers, would monitor the progress of plantation and maintenance of the trees. The decision was taken recently during a meeting of the department officials with the central silk board members.
State Silk department director Sudhir Mohan Sharma said, "The department with the help of Central Silk Board has decided to promote clusters of mulberry tree plantation. Under the plan, mulberry plants would be planted on 1,050 acres of land in Pauri district." Apart from promotion of the new clusters, the department would also promote cluster in Maldevata of Dehradun, lalwala in Haridwar, and those in Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar. Research Extension Centre (REC), one each at Haridwar and Kodwar, would also set up by the Central Silk Board.
REC would extend scientific support to the department. "The REC plays very crucial role in maintenance of the plants. These carry out testing time to time and give advice to the department officials required for healthy growth of the plants," Sharma added.
He said that the cluster promotion plan would give new height to silk production in the state. The keen interest shown by the central silk board (CSB) would work as a booster as the officials would get guidance from the CSB officials time to time.