Sikki grass

• Sikki artisans suffer livelihood losses amid climate change & state apathy.

About Sikki grass

• Sikki, also known as ‘Kaincha’or ‘Golden Grass’ for its colour, belongs to the zizanoides grass family.
• Scientifically called Chrysopogon zizanioides, it finds mention in ancient Sanskrit texts such as the Ramayana, where it is referred to as viran, sugandhimool, ushir and nalad.
• This grass grows indigenously in the Tarai regions of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
• It has an average height of 3-4 feet.
• Uses
  • While the stem is used to make artefacts, the roots are used for extracting oil that is used both for perfumery and medicinal purposes.
  • In the hilly terrains, it is also now grown to arrest soil erosion.
  • However, what Sikki is most known for is its handicraft.
  • It is used to make traditional items such as multipurpose baskets, ornaments, show pieces and many more utility items that are still considered valuable in rural India.
• Sikki craft is a labour and time intensive craft.
• Sikki got the geographical identification tag in 2018.
• Issues
  • Lack of state patronage
  • climate change has impacted the quality of the grass.