HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, March 14: Aaranyak, a notable organisation dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity and the well-being of forest fringe communities, has introduced a tailoring school for indigenous women and young girls living in the fringe villages of India’s Manas Tiger Reserve.
Through this tailoring school, the research-driven organisation aims to provide basic training on measurement, cutting, and stitching to the trainees so that they can equip themselves with tailoring skills. These skills will allow them to find alternative livelihood opportunities, leading to reduced dependence on the forest and contributing to conservation efforts.
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The tailoring school was officially launched on March 12 at the Manas Conservation and Outreach Centre, Bhuyapara, Baksa, the organisation’s base in Manas. The inauguration program was attended by 23 trainees from Bhuyapara, Bamunkhal, and Kumguri villages, situated around the Manas Tiger Reserve, along with the master trainer Pakhila Das.
The program commenced with the lighting of the lamp by Pakhila Das. Subsequently, the trainees were provided with a brief overview of the objectives of organising the tailoring school. Following that, participants were invited to discuss the aspects of tailoring they intended to learn at the training school. The program concluded with the segregation of the trainees into four groups that will attend classes thrice a week.
“Tailoring training for fringe women empowers them economically, fostering a sense of ownership in forest conservation. By providing skills, these women become key stakeholders, contributing to sustainable practices and biodiversity conservation. This inclusive approach not only addresses gender disparities but also strengthens community involvement, leading to more effective and enduring forest conservation efforts,” says Aaranyak through a press statement.
The tailoring school has been initiated as part of the IUCN-KFW supported project titled – Securing population of tigers, habitats, and biological corridors in Assam, India, being executed in the Manas Landscape, Baksa district.
The Aaranyak team was represented by Dr Partha Sarathi Ghose, Binita Baruwati, Swapan Kumar Das, Pankaj Das, Stephen Basumatary, Barnali Chakraborty, and Dhananjay Mochahary.
