Bio-diversity

Silkworms are the larva of a moth (Bombyx mori) native to Asia that spins a cocoon of fine, strong, lustrous fiber that is the source of commercial silk. The culture of silkworms is called sericulture. The various species of silkworms raised today are distinguished by the quality of the silk they produce. Silkworms feed on the leaves of the mulberries (genus Morus) and sometimes on the Osage orange (Maclura pomifera). In Lao PDR, Tai Phouan is one of majority population that conduct sericulture as main source of livelihood. Due to the modernization that pushes villages in rural Laos closer to urbanizing, sericulture has been replacing by intrial products. More Lao women apply imported materials to make thier unique and tradditional Lao Skirt which uses of silk thread as key component. The project awarded in Anouxay village, Viengxay district of Houaphan province aims to sustain and promote the sericulture of indigenous Tai Phouan ethnic in order to recalled thier indigenous knowledge that tranfer through generations and encouraging silk products as major source of households` income that consequently, local population will slow downing the natural resources consuming. At the begining, project encouraged community members those are of most experienced in sericulture. Villagers here sell and use their silk thread and clothes generations for culture activities. Today, selling of silk is one of the most important source of income. However, event many quantities of silk thread and clothes are produced from this location but it has been proving that the industrialized materials that use artificial silk threads with the cheap price taking over day by day.

Lao Peoples Democratic Republic