Livelihood Challenges of the Muga Silk Saree Weaving Community: A Case Study of Sualkuchi, Assam (India)

Muga silk, known as the golden thread, has been reared from a peculiar type of silkworm called muga since time immemorial. The silk is widely grown in Sualkuchi, renowned as Manchester of Assam, as a large population is engaged in handloom industry there. The antique, and mesmerising muga products like mekhela chadar, and saree have occupied the hearts of people from all walks of life as these products carry unique characteristics. Sualkuchi silk is a symbol of the fact that centuries change, eras change, but faith remains eternal. However, the cottage industry faces headwinds from global spillovers in protracted, and intensifying COVID-19 due to informal nature of the industry. Increased temperature, and humidity are one of the major threats to the muga silkworm in the coming decades. The development of the weaving community is the future, not the past; its solution is self-reliance.