Content:

1. The Magic of Indian Silk
2. Plastic Parks in India

The Magic of Indian Silk

Historical Significance

• Silk is deeply embedded in India’s cultural heritage through iconic weaves like Kanchipuram, Banarasi, and Bhagalpur Tussar.
• Each silk product reflects India’s diverse artistic traditions and craftsmanship passed down generations.
• Symbolic importance in weddings, festivals, and rituals, strengthening its socio-cultural value.

Relevance : GS 1(Culture , Heritage) , GS 3(Economy , Agriculture)

Sericulture Process Overview

• Sericulture = Cultivation of silkworms for silk production.
• Silkworms are fed on mulberry, oak, castor, or arjun leaves.
• Lifecycle: Egg → Larva → Cocoon → Silk yarn → Woven fabric.
• Cocoons are harvested and boiled to extract silk threads, which are then spun and woven.

Types of Indian Silk

• Mulberry Silk (92% of India’s silk production):
  • Sourced from domesticated silkworms.
  • Soft, lustrous, premium quality.
  • Grown primarily in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir.

• Non-Mulberry (Vanya) Silk:
  • Includes Tussar, Eri, and Muga.
  • Stronger, less lustrous, and more eco-friendly.
  • Produced in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Northeast India.

Economic Importance

• India is the second-largest producer and largest consumer of silk globally.
• Silk industry is labour-intensive, offering employment to lakhs, especially in rural areas and among women.
• Key contributor to rural livelihoods, especially in backward and tribal regions.

Production Growth Trends

• Raw silk production increased from 31,906 MT (2017-18) to 38,913 MT (2023-24).
• Mulberry plantation area grew from 223,926 ha to 263,352 ha during the same period.
• Mulberry silk production increased from 22,066 MT to 29,892 MT.
• Indicates effective implementation of sericulture support policies.

Export and Trade Performance

• Silk and silk goods exports grew from₹1,649.48 crore (2017-18) to ₹2,027.56 crore (2023-24).
• Silk waste exports touched 3,348 MT in 2023-24, highlighting waste valorization and circular economy potential.
• Despite being just 0.2% of global textile production, silk is a high-value export.

Government Initiatives and Schemes

a. Silk Samagra & Silk Samagra-2

• Flagship scheme aimed at improving all stages: seed production, R&D, rearing, reeling, weaving.
• Budget: Rs. 4,679.85 crore (2021-26).
• Central assistance of Rs. 1,075.58 crore disbursed, benefiting over 78,000 people.
• Key States: Andhra Pradesh (Rs. 72.50 cr), Telangana (Rs. 40.66 cr).

b. Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS)

• Ensures subsidized yarn supply for handloom weavers.
• Supplied 340 lakh kg yarn in 2023-24.

c. National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP)

• Infrastructure and marketing support, skill development, technology upgrades.
• Targets both cooperative and SHG-based weavers.

d. SAMARTH (Skill Development Scheme)

• Budget: Rs. 495 crore (FY 2024-25 & 2025-26).
• Objective: Train 3 lakh people across sectors including silk.
• Focus on entry-level and upskilling in handloom, jute, apparel, and silk.

Environmental and Sustainability Aspects

• Vanya silks offer sustainable alternatives due to low-input, eco-friendly processes.
• Silk waste recycling promotes zero-waste manufacturing models.
• Sericulture offers agro-based employment, reducing migration pressures.

Challenges

• Silk production is climate-sensitive; irregular rainfall impacts mulberry yield.
• Need for modern reeling and dyeing technology to improve quality and reduce costs.
• Global competition and synthetic substitutes pose long-term market threats.

Conclusion and Way Forward

• The Indian silk industry has demonstrated resilient growth backed by policy support.
• Schemes like Silk Samagra have strengthened supply chains from silkworm to fabric.
• To become a global silk hub, India must focus on:
  • Skilling artisans.
  • Enhancing productivity through R&D.
  • Export diversification.
  • Promoting eco-silk and innovation.

Plastic Parks in India

What are Plastic Parks?

• Definition: Plastic Parks are industrial zones dedicated to plastic-related industries including plastic processing, recycling, R&D, and manufacturing.
• Cluster Development Model: Designed to bring together plastic industries in a geographically demarcated area to optimize resources and encourage economies of scale.
• Focus: Not just on production, but also on waste management, recycling, and promoting sustainable plastic use.

Relevance :GS 2(Governance) , GS 3(Industries)

Scheme Overview: Plastic Parks Scheme

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals).
• Launched Under: New Scheme of Petrochemicals.
• Assistance Pattern:
  • Govt. grant: Up to 50% of the project cost (max ₹40 crore per park).
  • Balance: To be contributed by State Governments, private investors, or SPVs.
• Implementation Model: State Governments create Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to implement and manage each park.

Key Objectives of the Scheme

•  Consolidate and synergize fragmented plastic processing units.
•  Create state-of-the-art infrastructure to enhance competitiveness.
•  Promote investment, innovation, and exports in the plastic sector.
•  Support waste management and recycling for environmental sustainability.
•  Generate employment and promote Make in India in the plastic sector.

Current Status: Approved Plastic Parks (10 as of 2025)

Associated Infrastructure in Plastic Parks

• Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs).
• Solid/hazardous waste management systems.
• In-house plastic recycling sheds.
• Incinerators and eco-friendly disposal facilities.
• Access to logistics, water, and electricity.

Other Government Measures Supporting the Sector

1.  Centres of Excellence (CoEs) – 13 CoEs set up in IITs, CSIR labs, and CIPETs.

• Focus Areas:
  • Sustainable polymers (e.g., IIT Guwahati – SusPol).
  • Bio-engineered systems.
  • Wastewater management.
  • Green materials for transport/toys/healthcare.

2.  Skilling Programs by CIPET

• Offers short- and long-term courses on:
  • Plastic processing
  • Tooling and design
  • Polymer technology
• Addresses manpower needs of the plastic industry.

Environmental Sustainability Measures

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR):
  • Producers must ensure reuse, recycling, and minimum recycled content.
• Ban on Single-Use Plastics: Helps reduce low-value waste generation.
•  Circular Economy Push: Emphasis on recycling, up-cycling, biodegradable alternatives.
•  International Engagement:
  • Participates in ISO, UNEP, and WTO dialogues on plastic standards.

Economic Relevance of Indian Plastic Industry

• India’s Rank: 12th in global plastic exports (World Bank 2022).
• Growth: From $8.2 bn (2014) to $27 bn (2022).
•  Challenge: Fragmented industry with many MSMEs.
•  Plastic Parks’ Role: Consolidate capacity, promote scale, reduce cost, increase exports.

Challenges & Way Forward

•  Slow pace of fund release and industrial occupancy in some parks.
•  Need for greater private sector engagement.
•  Strengthen R&D and innovation linkages between CoEs and industry.
•  Focus on bio-based materials and sustainable alternatives.
•  Establish performance monitoring and impact evaluation metrics.