India’s First Seri-Eco Tourism Hub Unveiled in Manasbal, J&K

In a landmark move for sustainable tourism and rural empowerment, India has launched its first Seri-Eco Tourism Hub at the Central Silk Board’s Basic Seed Farm in Manasbal, located in the Ganderbal district of Jammu & Kashmir.

Key Highlights of the Project:
- Theme: *“Soil to Silk – A Journey into Heritage, Nature & Livelihood”* — offering visitors a full-circle experience of the silk production process.

- Immersive Experience: Tourists can explore every stage of the silk value chain:
- Mulberry cultivation
- Silkworm rearing
- Cocoon reeling
- Weaving and finishing
- Empowerment Focus: Designed to generate rural employment and empower local women and youth.
- Economic Boost: Provides a platform for artisans and entrepreneurs to showcase their crafts to a wider audience.

Unique Feature:
- Temperate Mulberry Germplasm Bank: The only one of its kind in India, conserving 150 mulberry genotypes from 17 countries — making it a hub for biodiversity research.

Vision & Support:
- Launched by Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary of the Union Ministry of Textiles.
- The Ministry envisions Manasbal as a national model for transforming scientific institutions into self-sustaining tourism hubs.

This initiative blends heritage, education, and sustainability, positioning Jammu & Kashmir as a pioneer in eco-tourism innovation.