Dispur(Assam): Hit hard by the rampant use of pesticides, the Muga (golden silk) rearers in Assam's Lakhimpur district await the proposed Pesticide Management Bill 2017 for relief.
Known as the land of 'golden silk', Dhakuakhana in Lakhimpur district have been producing a good quantity of golden silk in the past.
The production of the golden silk has, however, gone down in the past several years due to unchecked use of pesticides and herbicides in the tea gardens as well as in the medium and large agricultural farms.
As the Pesticide Management Bill 2017 awaits parliamentary nod to become an Act, it has brought back hopes among hundreds of Muga polu rearers in the area.
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The Muga silk, which is geographically tagged to Assam, has a natural yellowish golden tint with a shimmering, glossy texture.
"The tea industry of Assam, the brick kilns and the oil refineries have adversely affected the Muga rearers across Assam. The tea estates need to use 35.3 kg of pesticides and herbicides in one hectare of land annually. The pesticides negatively impact the agriculture and Muga rearers since the Muga moths cannot live where pesticides are used," said Jitul Saikia, an activist of Dhakuakhana.
"We are very excited about the new bill. If the bill is passed and implemented seriously, Muga farmers like me will immensely benefit. However, the government must ensure proper execution of the Bill," said a Muga rearer.
"The Bill aims to restrict the sale, buy and use of pesticides and there will also be stricter regulations for licensing of the pesticides," a source said.
