BRAC’s purpose in promoting sericulture is to provide income generating activities for poor, landless women. Silkworm rearing is a labour-intensive activity that is usually done at home and silk is a high value, low volume commodity that is in demand both nationally and internationally. Sericulture has a large potential of being integrated with other agrarian systems based on household operation. Presently there is a demand for 360 tons of silk in Bangladesh. Only 60 tons of silk are produced each year out of which BRAC produces 40 tons. There is tremendous scope for growth in silk production. The purpose of this study is to ensure that BRAC’s sericulture programs and the activities of the Ayesha Abed Foundation related to silk production are socially and environmentally sustainable. The broad objective of this study is to assess the environmental impact of BRAC’s sericulture programs and Ayesha Abed Foundation silk-related activities. The specific objectives are to identify environmental and health concerns in sericulture and AAF silk-related activities. To identify chemicals used in these activities and measure the resulting effects on soil and water quality. To assess the potential environmental problems of programs. To identify remedial measures to reduce the adverse impact of the program’s activities on the environment and public health. To establish monitoring criteria to maintain the environmental quality and sustainability of these programs.
Authors: Akter, Nasima; Rahaman, Amina; Chowdhury, Mushtaque
Type: Report
Year: 1998
