Photograph — A self-help group meeting (representative photograph). Source image unavailable; caption preserved.
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Fibre, Grass & Cane Craft · Manipur — Loktak Lake
Water Hyacinth Craft of Manipur
A dried, woven-fibre craft that turns water hyacinth — an invasive weed choking Loktak Lake — into baskets, bags and home décor, developed as a women's livelihood and lake-conservation initiative.
GI status: Reference product from Manipur's registered wetland-fibre craft cluster (alongside Kauna craft)
Shelf life: Indefinite if kept dry
Women-led sector
| Category | Fibre, Grass & Cane Craft |
|---|---|
| Region | Manipur — Loktak Lake |
| GI status | Reference product from Manipur's registered wetland-fibre craft cluster (alongside Kauna craft) |
| Typical shelf life | Indefinite if kept dry |
| Women's role in production | Harvesting and drying water hyacinth from Loktak Lake and weaving it into bags, mats and baskets is an entirely women-led livelihood craft developed to turn an invasive wetland weed into income. |
Why this fits a low-wastage SHG model: A dry, durable fibre product with indefinite shelf life and a strong sustainability story alongside its economic one.
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