Climate Change: The Emerging Threat to Sustainable Tasar Sericulture and Tribal Livelihoods Nature’s Golden Silk Under a Changing Climate For centuries, Tasar sericulture has been more than just an economic activity for the tribal communities of Central and Eastern India. It is a way of life that is deeply rooted in forests, biodiversity, and Indigenous knowledge systems. Millions of tribal families have depended on Tasar culture as a reliable source of seasonal income, food security, and ecological stewardship in the sal-dominated landscapes of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. However, a silent threat is rapidly emerging over forest-based livelihoods due to climate change. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, unseasonal storms, and increasing pest incidence are disrupting the delicate ecological balance upon which Tasar sericulture depends. Unlike mulberry silk, which is largely produced under controlled conditions, the Tasar silkworm (Antheraea mylitta) is reared outdoors and is therefore directly exposed to climatic fluctuations. This makes Tasar one of the most climate- vulnerable silk sectors in India. Why Tasar Sericulture is Highly Vulnerable Tasar production is fundamentally linked to forest ecosystems and host plants such as Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia tomentosa, and Shorea robusta. The productivity of these host plants determines the survival and performance of the silkworms. Climate change affects this relationship at multiple levels, as rising temperatures reduce leaf moisture, impair photosynthesis, and lower the nutritional quality of host-plant foliage. Drought conditions reduce leaf biomass and retard host plant growth. Excessive rainfall and flooding promote root diseases and fungal infections, whereas erratic rainfall disrupts the synchronisation between host-plant leaf flush and silkworm rearing schedules. These changes directly affect larval growth, cocoon formation, and silk quality. As the Tasar silkworms are reared in open forests, they cannot escape extreme weather events. Heat waves accelerate larval development but often result in smaller larvae, lighter cocoons, reduced shell weights, and poor silk yields. Unseasonal rainfall during the rearing season frequently causes larval mortality and cocoon loss. Impacts of Climate Change on Tasar Sericulture 1. Rising temperatures Heat stress reduces leaf quality and moisture Poor larval growth and higher mortality Lower cocoon weight and silk quality 2. Erratic rainfall Delayed monsoon, dry spells and unseasonal rains Disrupts rearing schedule Heavy rains wash away larvae and increase disease Leads to crop losses 3. Increasing pests and diseases Climate variability favors pest multiplication More pest damage to host plants Silkworms more vulnerable to diseases Lower productivity and higher risk Impact on Tribal livelihoods Reduced cocoon yield and income Food insecurity and economic stress Increased seasonal migration Discourages youth from continuing sericulture Climate Change and Forest-Based Livelihoods The impact of climate change on Tasar sericulture extends far beyond the production of cocoons. It directly threatens the livelihoods of tribal communities that rely on forests for income and survival. In states like Jharkhand, where a significant proportion of the population belongs to tribal communities and depends on natural resources, tasar sericulture serves as an important livelihood diversification strategy. It employs during agricultural lean periods, generates cash income, and reduces dependence on seasonal migration. A typical tribal family engaged in Tasar rearing spends nearly three months in forest-based activities associated with silkworm rearing and cocoon collection annually. Any disruption caused by adverse weather conditions directly affects household income and food security, and climate-induced crop failures in agriculture further compound this vulnerability. As rainfall becomes increasingly unpredictable, both farming and Tasar-based livelihoods face simultaneous risks, pushing already marginalized communities into greater economic uncertainty. The Growing Threat of Pests and Diseases Climate change is also reshaping pest and disease dynamics in Tasar ecosystems, with warmer temperatures and fluctuating humidity creating favorable conditions for the rapid multiplication of insect pests and disease-causing organisms. Pest outbreaks are becoming more frequent and severe, and natural ecological controls are increasingly disrupted. Outdoor silk systems, such as Tasar, are particularly exposed because environmental conditions cannot be regulated as easily as in indoor rearing systems. Increased pest pressure not only damages host plants but also affects silkworm survival, cocoon quality, and overall productivity of the host plant. For tribal farmers with limited resources, repeated crop losses can discourage their continued participation in sericulture. Ecological Consequences Beyond Silk Production The implications of climate change on Tasar sericulture are not confined to economics. Tasar culture has historically encouraged the conservation of host trees and forest biodiversity. Communities engaged in sericulture actively protect host plantations, enrich degraded forests, and promote the sustainable utilization of natural resources. Consequently, any decline in Tasar cultivation may weaken the local incentives for forest conservation. The decline in host plant populations due to drought, forest degradation, and changing climatic conditions could further reduce the resilience of Tasar landscapes. This creates a vicious cycle in which ecological degradation and livelihood insecurity reinforce one another. Building Climate Resilience in Tasar Sericulture Despite these challenges, Tasar sericulture has significant potential for climate adaptation, and the conservation and restoration of host plant resources must be prioritized. Climate-resilient practices and technologies Weather-based advisory and forecasting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strengthening community institutions Research, innovation and capacity building Policy support and convergence for sustainability Large-scale plantation of climate-resilient host species, protection of natural forests, and adoption of agroforestry-based tasar systems can enhance ecological stability. Host plant conservation has been identified as one of the most effective adaptation measures for outdoor silk systems, and integrated pest management practices can help reduce losses while minimizing dependence on chemical pesticides. Biological control agents, habitat management, and climate-based pest surveillance systems can strengthen the resilience of ecosystems. Equally important is the integration of Indigenous knowledge with scientific interventions. Tribal communities possess generations of experience managing forests, identifying seasonal variations, and adapting rearing practices. Combining this traditional wisdom with weather advisories, climate forecasting, and improved extension services can significantly enhance the adaptive capacity. Community institutions, such as Self-Help Groups (SHGs), producer groups, and village-level Tasar organizations, can play a crucial role in promoting collective action, resource management, and climate- resilient livelihood planning. The Way Forward Climate change poses an immediate threat to thousands of tasar rearers in India's tribal regions. Sustaining Tasar sericulture requires strengthening host plant ecosystems, conserving biodiversity, adopting climate-smart practices and supporting tribal communities through targeted policies. Protecting this industry safeguards forest ecosystems, Indigenous knowledge, and tribal livelihoods. Building resilience in Tasar sericulture is essential for the social, ecological, and developmental sustainability of the industry. Adapting to climate change is essential to sustain Tasar sericulture and the livelihoods of tribal communities. Through scientific innovation, traditional knowledge and strong community participation, we can build a resilient and sustainable future for Tasar - nature's golden silk. References: Grześkowiak, J., Łochyńska, M. and Frankowski, J. (2022) ‘Sericulture in terms of sustainable development in agriculture’, Problemy Ekorozwoju, 17(2), pp. 210–217. 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