Assam Women Turn Water Hyacinth into Sustainable Livelihood
Supported by Aaranyak, Kaziranga National Park authorities and the International Rhino Foundation, women in fringe villages of LBWLS are creating sustainable livelihoods through water-hyacinth craft production.
GUWAHATI- In the fringe areas surrounding the Laokhowa Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary (LBWLS) in Assam, groups of women are transforming water hyacinth — often regarded as an invasive aquatic weed — into a source of livelihood and economic empowerment.
The initiative has been launched by biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak in collaboration with the authorities of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNP & TR), the Nagaon Wildlife Division, and with support from the International Rhino Foundation (IRF). The project seeks to reduce economic dependence on protected forest resources by creating alternative livelihood opportunities for communities living near the sanctuary.
LBWLS, a biologically significant landscape contiguous with Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, has been undergoing ecological restoration following major anti-encroachment drives conducted by the Assam government in recent years. Authorities and conservation groups have been working towards restoring populations of species such as the greater one-horned rhinoceros and tigers in the sanctuary.
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Against this backdrop, the water-hyacinth craft initiative aims to strengthen community participation in conservation by improving economic conditions in fringe villages.
According to project officials, water hyacinth is abundantly available in the wetland-rich landscape surrounding LBWLS, making it an easily accessible raw material. Two groups of women comprising around 20 members have been trained by expert instructors and provided with machinery and production facilities to manufacture a variety of craft products.
The women operate from two production units located at Singimari village under the Pragati Self Help Group and Kaliadinga village under the Bonani Self Help Group in the Laokhowa area.
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The craftswomen are now producing items such as dining mats, table runners, baskets, handbags, purses, serving bowls, tissue boxes, flower vases, mobile holders and hats. Their products are reportedly finding buyers in areas including Nagaon and Kaziranga.
Arif Hussain, Senior Manager in Aaranyak’s Rhino Research and Conservation Division (RRCD), said the organisation has also facilitated market linkages and bulk orders to help ensure regular income generation for the women groups.
He also acknowledged the support extended by Kaziranga National Park Director Dr. Sonali Ghose in implementing the initiative, which he described as part of a broader effort to secure wildlife habitats through community engagement.
Divisional Forest Officer of Nagaon Wildlife Division, Rajib Hazarika, welcomed the initiative and noted that such programmes improve coordination between forest authorities and local communities. He, however, underlined the need to improve the durability of water-hyacinth products, which tend to absorb moisture and decay quickly.
Most of the women involved are housewives who continue to manage household responsibilities while earning additional income through craft production.
Anjuma Begum, a master trainer associated with the initiative, said the programme has provided women with financial independence without disrupting their domestic responsibilities. She added that the positive response from families and local communities has encouraged further participation.
The women groups reportedly began commercial production in February 2023 after undergoing advanced-level training, and organisers say demand for the products has steadily increased over time.
