Question

Kharika made up of paddy straw used for egg laying of muga silk worm is practiced in
(A) Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh
(B) Assam, Meghalaya, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Nagaland
(C) Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Sikkim and West Bengal
(D) Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Jharkhand and Bihar. Choose the correct answer from the options given below.

• (A) and (B) only.
• (B) and (C) only.
• (A) and (C) only.
• (C) and (D) only.

Hint:

Muga silk is endemic to the northeastern region of India. When answering questions about muga sericulture, exclude states outside of this region, such as Jharkhand, Odisha, or Chhattisgarh, which are associated with tasar silk.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Muga sericulture is centered around the muga silkworm, Antheraea assamensis, which produces a naturally golden-yellow silk.
This species is endemic to the northeastern states of India.
Sericulture practices in this region rely on traditional tools and techniques designed to suit the biology of the silkworm and the local climate.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
"Kharika" is a traditional device used in muga sericulture for egg-laying.
It is made by bundling dried paddy straw (or local reeds) and wrapping it with paper or cloth.
After the muga moths mate, the fertilized female moth is tied to the kharika.
She then deposits her eggs directly onto the straw fibers.
The kharika provides a secure substrate for egg-laying and is easy to handle, inspect, and disinfect.
Muga sericulture and the use of the kharika are practiced in the northeastern states where the primary host plants (Som and Soalu) grow.
These states include:
- Assam (the primary producer)
- Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh (listed in statement A)
- Mizoram, Manipur, Sikkim, and parts of North West Bengal (listed in statement C)
States listed in B and D (such as Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Bihar) are known for tropical tasar sericulture and do not practice traditional muga rearing with the kharika.
Therefore, statements A and C represent the geographic areas where this sericulture practice is carried out.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The use of the kharika is practiced in the states listed in A and C.
Thus, the correct option is 3.