Workshop starts to boost weavers
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, July 05 2025: Anurag Bajpai (IFS), Additional Chief Secretary (Textiles, Commerce & Industries and Tribal Affairs & Hills) and PCCF&HoFF has stated that efforts are underway to develop Keibul Lamjao as a full-fledged tourist destination.

He made the statement at the inauguration ceremony of a two week capacity building programme for 25 weavers held under Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme at Keibul Lamjao today.

The initiative is part of a joint project of the Directorate of Handloom & Textiles and the Deputy Conservator of Forests (Park & Sanctuary) .

Speaking to the media, the senior IFS officer stated that the Government plans to promote handloom and handicraft industries in villages surrounding the Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP), while also working to stimulate the local economy through KLNP's development.

He further stated that the Government is also working to implement an eco tourism project at Keibul Lamjao.

Anurag Bajpai informed that the project was conceived as an important element of developing eco-tourism in and around the world's only floating and eco-fragile Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP), the home of Sangai (brow antlered deer) .

He stated that the project aims to place Loktak Lake and the KLNP under a strict conservation regime apart from elevating the local economy.

Anurag Bajpai stated that this initiative marks a significant milestone, as the departments of TCI and Forests have come together for the first time to drive the local economy through a collaborative approach.

KLNP eco-tourism project is a comprehensive project covering four important elements viz eco-tourism, operations of eco-tourism related facilities, economic activities and activities ancillary to tourism like nature guides, photogra-phers/studio, battery operated carts, souvenir shops etc, he added.

Emphasizing that tourism and the local economy have to go hand in hand, he stated that the project which aims to upgrade skills of villagers is supported under RAMP scheme of Government of India.

Mentioning that the Directorate of Handloom and Textiles, with the assistance of Cluster Development Executives (CDEs), conducted a survey of approximately 200 households, he added that 25 women were selected from Keibul Village to undergo training to enhance their weaving skills.

They will be trained by qualified CDEs and Textile Designers (TDs), he added.

During the training, CDEs and TDs will work with the trainees on development of various motifs, new designs and colour combinations to widen the market for their products, Anurag said and added that the training which started today will be held for 15 days.

Now the weavers will also be in position to avail the benefit of subsidy under CM's Yam Scheme, he said.

Later, Anurag inspected a relief camp at Moirang where training of 20 women has started from today for kauna craft products by the Directorate of Handlooms & Textiles.

The training will continue for 20 days.

During his interaction with the trainees, Bajpai highlighted the benefits of the training programme and commended their resilience in the face of challenges.

He informed them that they would receive a stipend of Rs 300 per day and that the products they create during the training would be procured by the Directorate, providing an additional source of income.

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