Oak Tasar, silk development project has been launched in Uttarakhand. This development project is being supported by the Textile Ministry’s Central Silk Board. It is expected to provide a new dimension to employment of farmers associated with the silk industry. Increasing production of silk in the state can lead to additional income generation for farmers. Apart from a grant of a crore, land will be provided for the Oak Research Center. Like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand will arrange funds for silkworm farmers.

This ambitious project will increase silk production in the state. India produces about 3,3,000 metric tons of silk. The production of mulberry silk in Uttarakhand is now 33 metric tons and the target is to produce 55 metric tons. In Uttarakhand, oak grows naturally in good quantities. The weather is ideal for Manipuri Oak. Uttarakhand can take advantage of the current situation as silk production has decreased in plains. Experts feel in the hills, adequate agricultural land is available and farmers can cultivate silk by raising oak and mulberry plants. Farmers and the silk department will have to make efforts to increase the production of oak and mulberry.