GUWAHATI: In a bid to empower and uplift the women of the Himalaya Self Help Group (SHG) in Bhuyapara, Baksa, a four-day tailoring training initiative was recently conducted in the Manas National Park region.
The training, organised by Aaranyak, a biodiversity organisation, took place from December 19 to December 22.
Aimed at equipping 11 women with essential tailoring skills, the programme sought to provide alternative livelihood opportunities, thereby reducing their dependence on the forest and contributing to its conservation.
The initiative is part of the IUCN-KFW supported project titled “Securing population of tigers, habitats and biological corridors in Assam, India”, focusing on the Manas Landscape in Baksa District.
The Aaranyak team, represented by Swapan Kumar Das, Bijay Basumatary, and Pankaj Das, orchestrated the programme.
Kamaluddin Ali, a highly skilled tailor from Rupahi Bazar, played a pivotal role in the training, guiding SHG members on the intricacies of measuring, cutting, and stitching blouses and frocks.
The training included comprehensive demonstrations by Ali, followed by hands-on practice sessions where SHG members actively engaged in the blouse and frock-making process under the expert supervision of the trainer.
The predominant goal of the tailoring training was to economically empower women on the fringes of society, instilling a sense of ownership in forest conservation efforts.
By providing valuable skills, these women were transformed into key stakeholders, actively contributing to sustainable practices and biodiversity conservation.
Aaranyak stressed that this inclusive approach not only addressed gender disparities but also fortified community involvement, fostering more effective and enduring forest conservation endeavours.
