ACHARYA NARENDRA DEV COLLEGE

UNIVERSITY OF DELHI

(SESSION 2024-25)

Topic: Report on Sericulture field Visit

Regional Sericulture Research Centre
(RSRS), Dehradun
& Forest Research Institute
(FRI), Dehradun

SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY:

Dr. Shushma Bharadwaj Arvind
Singh
Dept. of Zoology (241017)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Would like to express my gratitude to my Sericulture Teacher Dr.
Shushma Bharadwaj as she provided me with valuable advice
and suggestions to improve my experiment and assignment.

I am thankful to my principal Dr. Ravi Toteja for providing me

with me the resources and facilities needed for my experiment.
Their encouragement and motivation pushed me to work hard and
strive for the excellence.
I am grateful to my parents and the almighty god for providing
energy to peruse these tasks for their unwavering support
throughout this Field visit project.
Introduction
This visit is organised to gain practical knowledge on different silkworm (Eri,
Mulberry, Tassar, Muga) rearing and Innovation in Rearing Techniques, Mulberry
Plants Production and most importantly the post cocoon processing and the
development of fabric from the Silk and innovation in developing Useful Byproducts
from the Non-used parts such as Pupa, and Sericin which is extracted as a whole
Protein part (a good protein source). The Visit will help the students in more specific
rearing process, which will lead to good quality of cocoon and further silk production
and leads to the overall growth of the silk industry in India.
I expect to learn more specific rearing technologies, enhanced mulberry production
techniques and how can we use the other Non-silk Products to make useful and
innovative products such as Hair dye, Different cosmetics and Nutritional
supplements.
The visit was conducted by Department of Zoology, ANDC, DU for the Students
studying SEC (Skill Enhancement Course) as their subject across various levels, to
Regional Sericulture Research Centre (RSRS) situated in the hills of Dehradun,
Uttarakhand on 15 April 2025, it was established in 1986 with only univoltine Sub-
station but later upgraded to the Bivoltine and Multivoltine Production with the Total
area of the station about 15.62 acres it contributes to the majority of silk production in
the Uttarakhand region with total of 42 Metric tones of silk production and 32
Hectares Mulberry plantation. It Produces Majority of Bivoltine Silk because of the
High Yield Conditions and finest Quality of the Bivoltine Silk is obtained.
At RSRS, Dehradun currently 80 Silkworm Races and 86 Mulberry types are being
studied and worked upon.

History
Silk is known as the queen of all fabrics over thousands of years, it has become an
inseparable part of Indian culture and tradition. Silk fiber in India is mostly considered
to be as more traditional and used to wear in special occasions and events. There are
number of other beliefs and mythological thoughts that are considered to be attached
to silk fiber, therefore, the silk acquired the place of queen of fiber. In India it is a rural
based agro industry providing employment to a sizable size of
the population, although sericulture is considered to b a subsidiary occupation and tech
nicalinnovation made it possible to generate more employment. It is the most labour-
intensive section for the economy which provides livelihood to a large section of
population. Sericulture, or silk farming, is the rearing of for the silkworm
production of raw silk.
Although there are several commercial species of silkworms, Bombyx mori is the
most widely used and intensively studied. Silkworm larvae are fed mulberry
leaves, and, after the fourth moult, climb a twig placed near them and spin their
silken cocoons. This process is achieved by the worm through a dense fluid secreted
from its structural glands, resulting in the fiber of the cocoon. The silk is a
continuous-filament fiber consisting of fibroin protein, secreted from two salivary
glands in the head of each larva, and a gum
called sericin which cements the two filaments together.
The sericin is removed by placing the cocoons in hot water, which frees the silk
filaments and readies them for reeling. This is known as the degumming process. The
immersion in hot water also kills the silkworm pupae. Single filaments are combined
to form thread. This thread is drawn under tension through several guides and wound
onto reels. The threads may be plied together to form yarn. After drying the raw silk is
packed according to quality On top of the tea stain on her dress she spotted a lovely
web of the most exquisite threads she had ever seen before. She carefully picked up
the delicate threads. They felt soft and smooth to the touch.
She understood that is the Silk threads come from the Silkworm’s Cocoon where it fell
from Mulberry tree. She sat on her loom and started working out a complicated
pattern. was the most exquisite piece she had ever woven. This discovery of Silk was
celebrated with great feasting and rejoicing throughout the land. Later when
commercial relations were established between China, and the rest of the world.
Knowledge of Silk spread far and wide. Silkworm eggs and the technology of making
silk, was brought to India by Buddhist monks from China. Also, the Industry is said to
have spread to Tibet when a Chinese Princess, carrying Silkworm eggs and Mulberry
seed in her hair dress, married the king of Kotan in Tibet
About two and half centuries ago silk was introduced into Karnataka by Tipu Sultan,
the ruler of the State. Today it is the biggest silk producing centre in India. Sericulture
introduced in Tamil Nadu from the border area of Karnataka during early 1960. Now
Tamil Nadu Stands number one in Bivoltine Silk production in India. According to
Western historians, mulberry-tree cultivation spread to India through Tibet during140
BC and cultivation of mulberry trees, rearing of silkworms began in the areas flanking
the Brahmaputra and Ganges rivers.
Mulberry plant is an important plant that
can be useful in many ways.
Types Of Silk
There are mainly 4 types of silk that are:
I). Mulberry silk
II). Tasar silk
III). Eri silk
IV). Muga silk.

In India we produce all types of silk.

Sericulture has become one of the most
important cottage industries in a
number of countries like China, Japan,
India, Korea, Brazil, Russia, Italy and
France. Today, China and India are the
two main producers, together
manufacturing more than 60% of the
world production each year. Production
of raw silk in India was 23,060 MT in
2011-12, of which, mulberry raw silk
Output aggregated to 18,272 MT
(79.24%). The remaining 4,788MT
(20.76%) was Vanya silks. Mulberry
sericulture is mainly practiced in five states namely, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West
Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir jointly account for about 97% of the total
mulberry silk production in the country. India is the largest consumer of raw silk in
the world. As the consumption of raw silk (Around 28,733 MT) exceeds
the production, the additional requirement of around 5,700 MT of silk (particularly biv
oltinemulberry silk of international quality) is imported Mainly from China.

Some of the important traits in sericulture are as follows:

Fecundity- Total eggs laid by one female moth.

Hatching Percentage: While brushing is taken some larvae remain unbrushed
because they are late borns. Beside some eggs remain unfertilized, some dead eggs,
some unhatched eggs also found on egg sheets.
Single cocoon weight (SCW): From no. of larvae brushed late born larvae are
deducted and divided by Normally weight of 10 male & 10 female pupae selected
randomly from a lot of 300 cocoons with their pupae inside is taken on an electronic
balance to calculate single cocoon weight.
Single Shell Weight (SSW): 10 male or female cocoons are weighted after pupa and
exuviate are taken out to calculate single shell weight.
Silk Ratio %: SSW divided by SCW and multiplied by 100 is called SR percentage

Moriculture
Moriculture, it is the important aspect of the
sericulture in relation to the mulberry
silk production. As the B. mori only feeds
on the mulberry leaves, so we can say the
quality and quantity of cocoon depends on the
mulberry leaves. Moriculture can be defined as
the culturing of the mulberry plant. Mulberry,
a heterozygous
perennial plant is a native of Indo-China and
found widely distributed in both the
hemispheres. The original home of mulberry
(Morus Spp.) is supposed to be in lower
Himalayan belt of Indo-Chinese region where 6
species occur in wild conditions upto an
elevation of 7000 ft. Due to cross fertilization lot
of variability exists in natural populations.
Mulberry trees protect environment, beautify our surroundings and provide fuel,
fodder, timber, tannins, medicines and elegant queen of textiles i.e. silk. Genetic
resources of mulberry as a global resource have immersed potentials for development
of natural products for sustainable development of human beings. To meet the
requirement of diverse agro-climatic conditions, location /region specific strains are a
must to make the silk industry more viable and remunerative for which collection,
evaluation and cataloguing of gene pool is a must.
Key Findings and Observation
During the Visit at RSRS, Dehradun We interacted with Dr. Chhatra pal Singh
(Scientist ‘C’), Dr. Aras Kumar, E (Scientist ‘B’). They Briefed us about the various
Projects undergoing in the Research Centre such as:

1. Production of High yield Bivoltine Silkworm: such as CSR (4), CSR (6),
CSR (12) by the Double hybrid in which 4 parents were involved, so a result
they showed high yield of Silk Production.

2. Trees are Trained:

Trees are trained to study the Trees Flust, Deadwood, Diseases in the plants,
in this their Normal Leaf Pattern is changed accordingly to the requirement of
the study and their branches are cut only the part having new leaves are allowed
to grow.

Benefits:
 Quality and Quantity
 Maximum Yield
 13% Protein was present
 23% was present
 85% Moisture was present
 Moisture rendition upto 6 Hours
*Image showing trimming being done in the Plant.

3. Studying the Mulberry Plants:

Strains of Mulberry Plant strains such as G, G11, C2038, S146 which were originated
from the Behrampur, Subtropical Region and study is being done to check the

 Temperature Variability
 Water and Moisture Retention
 4. Studying the other Factors involved in growth:
Spaces are left in between the Mulberry Plantation to Plant some legumes and
other plants which help in good yield of Mulberry Plants. Because of the
Nitrogen fixing nature of the Legumes so it increases the Protein content in
the mulberry Plant.

*Image showing Spaces present in between.

5. Only leaves are being used:

Plants which are damaged by termites and Bowers, they have damaged the
plant and they are still producing the leaves as it in only required for feeding
to silkworms.

6. Species which are Being grown:

 Morus Indica and Morus Alva (More Preferred)

 Morus Niger (Less Preferred)
Morus Alva/Indica is Most Suitable for culturing in the Lab.

7. Pupa to cocoon ratio:

Pupa to cocoon ratio is being studied as 20% of
the Cocoon weight should be present out of total
Weight, which is seen improved upto 25-27%
weight ratio.
8. Boiling of Cocoon:
Boiling of Cocoon at Constant
40’C water temperature During the
Reeling of the Silk and it helps in:
 Making Easy reeling of the
Sericin/ Fibres.
 It does not damage the silk and
easily production of Silk and
Spinning.

9. Post Cocoon, Handlooms and Fabric Production:

 Forest Research Institute (FRI)
The Forest Research Institute (FRI) is a premier institution for forestry research and
education located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. Established in 1906 as
the Imperial Forest Research Institute, it operates under the Indian Council of Forestry
Research and Education (ICFRE) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change, Government of India.
Key Features of FRI
1. Historical Significance
 Founded during British rule to promote scientific forestry in India.
 The main building, completed in 1929, is an iconic Colonial-style
architecture and a National Heritage Site.
2. Museum (FRI Museum)
 One of the oldest forestry museums in the world.
 Divided into six sections:
 Pathology Museum (tree diseases & pests)
 Social Forestry Museum (community-based forestry)
 Timber Museum (wood samples & uses)
 Silviculture Museum (forest growth & management)
 Entomology Museum (forest insects)
 Non-Wood Forest Products Museum (medicinal plants, resins, etc.)
3. Research & Education
 Conducts research in forest conservation, biodiversity, climate change,
and sustainable forestry.
 Offers M.Sc. Forestry, Ph.D., and other diploma courses through
affiliated institutions.
4. Herbarium & Library
 Herbarium (DDH): Houses over 200,000 plant specimens, crucial for
botanical research.
 Library: One of the largest forestry libraries in Asia with 150,000+
books & journals.
1. Pathology Museum (Tree Diseases & Pests)
 Focuses on forest diseases, fungal infections, and pest attacks on trees.
 Displays infected wood samples, fungal specimens, and pest specimens.
 Helps in understanding tree decay, rot, and preventive measures.

2. Social Forestry Museum (Community-Based Forestry)

 Highlights people’s participation in forest conservation.
 Exhibits models of agroforestry, urban forestry, and village woodlots.
 Promotes sustainable forest use for fuel, fodder, and livelihood.

3. Timber Museum (Wood Samples & Uses)

 Showcases over 400 types of Indian and exotic timber samples.
 Explains wood properties, durability, and commercial uses.
 Features cross-sections of famous trees like Teak, Sal, and Sandalwood.
5. Silviculture Museum (Forest Growth & Management)
 Covers forest regeneration, tree planting techniques, and species selection.
  Displays seedlings, nursery techniques, and forest models.
 Important for sustainable forest management and afforestation.
5. Entomology Museum (Forest Insects)
 Houses over 20,000 insect specimens, including pests and beneficial species.
 Features termites, beetles, and silk-producing insects.
 Studies insect impact on forest health.

6. Non-Wood Forest Products Museum (Medicinal Plants, Resins, etc.)

 Exhibits medicinal herbs, gums, resins, oils, and fibers from forests.
 Highlights tribal uses of forest products.
 Includes lac, honey, bamboo products, and Ayurvedic plants.
Conclusion:
The visit to the Sericulture Research Centre was an informative and enriching
experience, offering valuable insights into the science and practice of silk production.
The tour highlighted the entire lifecycle of silkworms, from egg incubation to cocoon
harvesting, as well as the advanced techniques used in silkworm rearing, disease
management, and silk processing. The demonstrations on mulberry cultivation, hybrid
silkworm varieties, and mechanized reeling processes were particularly enlightening,
showcasing the integration of traditional knowledge with modern technology. The
centre’s efforts in research, training, and innovation play a crucial role in
enhancing silk quality and productivity, benefiting farmers and the textile industry
alike.
Additionally, the interactive sessions with researchers provided a deeper
understanding of the challenges in sericulture, such as pest control, climate
adaptability, and sustainable practices. The visit underscored the economic and
ecological importance of sericulture as a livelihood option and agro-based industry.
This experience reinforced the significance of scientific research in sericulture and its
potential for rural development and employment generation. The well-maintained
facilities and knowledgeable staff made the visit both educational and inspiring.

The visit to the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, was an enlightening
experience that provided deep insights into forest conservation, scientific research, and
sustainable forestry practices. The institute’s rich heritage, vast museum collections,
and well-maintained exhibits offered a comprehensive understanding of India’s forest
ecosystems, biodiversity, and the challenges they face.
The six specialized museums—covering pathology, social forestry, timber,
silviculture, entomology, and non-wood forest products—were particularly
impressive, showcasing the diversity of forest resources, threats from pests and
diseases, and the importance of community involvement in conservation.
The herbarium and library further emphasized FRI’s role as a leading centre for
forestry research.
Additionally, the architectural grandeur of the colonial-era building and the lush green
campus added to the overall experience, making the visit both educative and visually
appealing.

Thanks
Arvind Singh

Appendices

References:
1. https://www.scribd.com/document/223201551/7-Sericulture-
at-RSRS.
2. https://www.csrtipam.co.in/pdf/sidebar_pdf/RSRS
%20SAHASPUR%20EMPLOYEE%20LIST.pdf
3. www. Wikipedia.com
4. www.fri.gov.in