Context: A group of women weavers from Tharu tribe in the northern buffer of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh are weaving their dreams on looms to churn out magnificent colourful carpets (cotton durries) and an array of grass-woven products.
Key Points

• Under the banner of Tharu Hath Karga Gharelu Udyog – a Self Help Group (SHG) of these tribal women from Lakhimpur Khiri district in Uttar Pradesh have recorded a significant increase in revenues from sale of cotton carpets and handmade wares made of locally available Munj grass such as baskets for chapati, planters, fruit baskets, jewellery containers, table mat, paper weight, coasters, etc.
• Timely technological intervention and funding support from the Science for Equity, Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division of the Central Department of Science & Technology (DST) under the Union Science and Technology Ministry has come as a boon for the SHG, scaling up the production and ensure quality.
• Due to technological interventions, a group of women weavers in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve belonging to the Tharu Hath KargaGharelu Udyog have recorded significant increase in revenue from sale of their wares in 2020.
• Tharu Hath KargaGharelu Udyog is a Self-Help Group (SHG) based in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh.
• Funding support was provided under TARA Scheme of Science for Equity, Empowerment & Development (SEED) Division, Department of Science & Technology (DST).

About the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve

• It is a protected area in Uttar Pradesh that stretches mainly across the Lakhimpur Kheri and Bahraich districts and comprises the Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.
• It shares the north-eastern boundary with Nepal.
• The area is a vast alluvial floodplain traversed by numerous rivers and streams flowing in south-easterly direction.
• In 1987, the Dudhwa National Park and the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary were brought under the purview of the ‘Project Tiger’ as Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. The Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary was added in the year 2000.
• The protected area is home for tigers, leopards, Asiatic black bears, sloth bears, Swamp deer, rhinoceros, elephants, cheetal, hog deer, barking deer, sambar, wild boar and hispid hare.

About Technological Advancement for Rural Areas (TARA) Scheme

• It is implemented by the Science for Equity, Empowerment & Development (SEED) Division, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India.
• The scheme provides long term Core Support to Science and Technology (S&T) based NGOs to promote and nurture them as “S&T Incubators”/“Active Field Laboratories” in rural and other disadvantaged areas to work and provide technological solutions and effective delivery of technologies for livelihood generation & societal benefits.
• It focuses on innovation, long-term action, replicability and enterprise models, shift to non-farm and service sectors, etc.
• If a project is approved, core funding is provided for five to ten years which may be extended to 15 years.