Karbi Women in Assam Master Solar-Powered Eri Silk Reeling to Revive Heritage and Boost Income Eight Indigenous Karbi women in Assam's Karbi Anglong completed a four-day workshop learning mechanised, solar-powered Eri silk reeling to turn traditional craft into micro-enterprises. A four-day specialised training programme on mechanised Eri silk reeling concluded at the Community Resource Centre in Chandrasing Rongpi village, located under the Rongmongve Block of Assam's Karbi Anglong district. Organised from September 30 to October 3 for eight Indigenous Karbi women, the initiative focused on upgrading traditional hand reeling through modern equipment to foster sustainable livelihoods and rural micro-enterprises. Eri silk, globally appreciated as Ahimsa silk, forms an integral element of Karbi cultural heritage and generational wisdom, although traditional practices spanning cocoon rearing, spinning, and weaving have steadily grown rare across rural settlements. Hands-On Technical Training and Quality Standards The sessions were conducted by Mirbon Teronpi and Madhuri Teronpi, experienced Eri reeling trainers from Diphu who hold advanced expertise from the Department of Sericulture under the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC). Participants received comprehensive practical guidance covering every stage of production, including cocoon preparation, operating mechanised reeling units, joining broken yarn ends, winding, safe yarn handling, and systematic quality assessment. Special attention was paid to maintaining uniform thread thickness, operational efficiency, and overall consistency across batches. Micro-Enterprise Building and Commercial Pricing Beyond technical reeling skills, the syllabus covered product development, expenditure estimation, and market-oriented pricing strategies designed to help participants establish viable micro-enterprises. Organisers emphasised establishing a resilient value chain connecting raw cocoon harvesting directly to finished woven garments. The programme also explored how nature-based livelihoods rooted in the responsible management of indigenous natural resources actively strengthen ecological conservation alongside rural economic stability. Overcoming Traditional Reeling Challenges Sharing her experience, participant Kache Rongpipi from Bakring Engti village noted that the practical demonstrations clarified the nuances of mechanised reeling, giving her the confidence to pursue Eri silk as a sustainable profession. Kaku Rongpipi from Khailun Terang village highlighted that traditional hand reeling was excessively time-consuming, physically demanding, and prone to inconsistent yarn thickness. The adoption of mechanised equipment provided clear, practical remedies to these long-standing operational hurdles. Renewable Energy and Ecological Conservation Joshna Terangpi, Project Officer at Aaranyak who coordinated the training, stressed the urgent need to protect the craft, stating, "This endangered, climate-friendly textile practice needs timely intervention to survive." She underlined that the practice carries generational knowledge and deep cultural identity for the community. The training utilised solar-powered Eri reeling machines supplied through support from the SELCO Foundation. Supported on the ground by Field Volunteer Presila Terangpi alongside village participants Margrath Terangpi and Anjona Rongpharpi, the workshop operated under Aaranyak's Natural Resource Management Programme, supported by IUCN-KfW to foster alternative, nature-based livelihoods across Northeast India. What this means for you Introducing solar-powered mechanisation into traditional silk production significantly boosts rural output and household earnings. • Across India: Rising consumer preference for cruelty-free Ahimsa silk receives a steady supply chain of consistent, high-grade organic fabric. This expands the domestic footprint of sustainable North Eastern textiles in ethical fashion markets. • In Assam: Indigenous women in Karbi Anglong reduce the physical toll and slow pace of manual processing while expanding commercial yield. This transition secures endangered cultural crafts while generating independent rural family incomes. • For Artisans: Uniform yarn thickness produced by mechanised units elevates the commercial grade and selling value of finished handloom textiles. Producers trained in costing can bypass intermediaries to demand fairer market rates. • For Ecological Sustainability: Operating with solar-driven reeling machinery eliminates dependency on erratic grid power while preserving clean energy standards. It enables local communities to build self-sustaining micro-enterprises in harmony with regional wildlife conservation. Why this happened Eri silk production faced steep decline due to the exhaustive manual labour involved and low financial returns, prompting urgent modern technological intervention. • Arduous Manual Labour: Traditional hand spinning was slow, physically draining, and struggled to produce uniform yarn thickness. Consequently, younger community members were abandoning the traditional heritage craft. • Introduction of Solar Mechanisation: Solar-powered reeling machines resolved quality inconsistencies while accelerating processing speeds without adding grid electricity costs. • Heritage and Income Preservation: Interventions were essential to protect Karbi cultural traditions while creating structured, market-aligned revenue models for rural households. • Institutional Alliances: Collaborative backing from Aaranyak, SELCO Foundation, and IUCN-KfW brought sustainable technology and training directly to grassroots forest-fringe communities. Questions & Answers 1. Where was the Eri silk reeling training workshop conducted? The four-day workshop was held at the Community Resource Centre in Chandrasing Rongpi village, situated in the Rongmongve Block of Karbi Anglong, Assam. 2. How many participants joined the workshop and what were the dates? Eight Indigenous Karbi women took part in the training conducted from September 30 to October 3. 3. Why is Eri silk referred to as Ahimsa silk? It is known as Ahimsa silk because the silkworm naturally emerges from the cocoon as a moth without being harmed during the harvesting process. 4. Who were the primary trainers for the session? The training was led by Mirbon Teronpi and Madhuri Teronpi, Eri reeling experts from Diphu experienced with the Department of Sericulture, KAAC. 5. What advantage does mechanised reeling offer over traditional hand spinning? Mechanised reeling produces uniform yarn thickness, accelerates output, and drastically reduces physical strain and time. 6. What power source operates these silk reeling units? The reeling machines are solar-powered and were provided with backing from the SELCO Foundation. 7. Which organisations supported this livelihood initiative? The programme was conducted under Aaranyak's Natural Resource Management Programme, supported by IUCN-KfW and the SELCO Foundation. Inspiration & Lessons The Karbi women demonstrate how blending ancestral craftsmanship with modern clean technology creates resilient, community-led livelihoods. • Embracing Smart Innovation: Integrating modern tools with traditional heritage protects age-old cultural practices while ensuring commercial viability. • Openness to Upskilling: Overcoming operational hurdles through dedicated hands-on training builds personal confidence and economic independence. • Eco-Friendly Enterprise: Viable, self-sustaining businesses can thrive without harming local biodiversity or depleting natural surroundings. • Community Economic Resilience: Collective empowerment of rural women through micro-enterprises directly uplifts the social and financial stability of entire villages. https://trendkia.com/en/assam/assam-ke-karbi-anglong-men-mahilaon-ne-sikhi-mashini-eri-silka-rilinga-parnpara-ko-mila-ajivika-ka-snbala-43331 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.