This is a success story of creating a sustainable local industry with the utilisation of region-specific species, involving minimum investment. Since 1994 to present day, the wild silk moth: Cricula Trifenestrata (which naturally spins golden cocoons) are utilised into wild silk yarns which are beneficial for human beings.This good practise has also brought a long run impact on afforestation as we continue to preserve the Cricula Trifenestrata natural habitat by active tree planting. This initiative is achievable due to progressive support from the Royal Family of Yogyakarta, diligent research and development by the Japanese Society of Wild Silkmoth (especially Professor Dr. Hiromu Akai 赤井 弘 and Professor Dr. Nagashima Takayuki 長島孝行) and economic value made possible by artistry craftsmanship from Kimono producers in Kyoto, Japan. We are pleased to have the blessing from the Royal Family of Yogyakarta, to further disseminate this good practice and accelerate global actions against climate change, with the creation of a sustainable art book: The Royal Golden Cocoon of Java - Cricula Trifenestrata (Bilingual: English and Japanese)

"Batik" is a World Intangible Cultural Heritage, but the fabric used to create this textile art such as silk was too expensive for the low-income batik artists as they were mostly imported from overseas. Hence, endangering the art of "Batik" making as less people in the region can afford to create this art. Cricula Trifenestrata is a wild silk moth, which naturally spins golden cocoons. They are abundantly found in specific-regions in Indonesia. However, in Indonesia, the larvae were subjected to control as agricultural pests. When viewed from a different perspective and by applying suitable technology and knowledge, pests can be transformed into a sustainable beneficial material that occur in large quantities. In this good practice, applicable biodiversity knowledge from Professor Hiromu akai (赤井 弘) and Professor Dr Nagashima Takayuki (長島孝行) of Tokyo University of Agriculture, along with collaboration with Japan's Kimono market, has significantly proven to create employment for low-income local villagers, with an impact of greening the 60 hectare Royal land that belongs to the Royal Family of Yogyakarta.

Beneficiaries: local villagers. Implementer: Royal Silk Foundation (Initiated and founded by the Royal Family of Yogyakarta: Queen Hemas and Crown Princess Mangkubumi). Partnerships: Japanese Society of Wild Silkmoth, Laboratory of Insect Technology of Tokyo University of Agriculture, Garuda Airline and Kimono Producers (Japan).

The Royal Silk Foundation has continuously created seminars to educate the villagers on how to utilize the Cricula golden cocoon into wild silk yarns and other creative handicrafts. Moreover, the 4th International Conference of Wild Silkmoths (2002) was held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia; encouraging international exchange of wild silk knowledge. In 2008, the 1st Jogyakarta International Heritage Walk (JIHW) was inaugurated by the Royal Family of Yogyakarta and this event has grown into a popular international event, attracting walkers from around the globe, interested in heritage and nature. All these events and activities have triggered the creation of jobs and income for the local villagers. When wild silk yarns are exported to create high value, beautiful Kimono and Obis in Japan, business partners who purchase the Cricula wild silk yarns, have also supported and contributed to the success of Garuda Airlines “one-passenger-one-tree-program." Japanese customers who purchase wild silk kimonos and obis travel to Yogyakarta, Indonesia to join the wild silk and tree planting activities. This has significantly helped in restoring the Cricula's natural habitat.

Today the Royal hill is a green sanctuary and home to the Cricula Trifenestrata. Farmers understand that pests can be beneficial insects by having a new perspective. The village has evolved into a sustainable village, with higher income and creativity in utilizing their local resources. There are inspection trip from overseas about the efforts of this successful project. There are international requests for cooperation on this initiative.

Regional unused resources are transformed into a zero-emission business model, with diligent research and development of Cricula Trifenestrata cocoons. Continuous effort in educating and motivating villagers is carried to widen their perspective. A byproduct of agriculture and forestry industry is a sustainable material that occurs as long as the industry lasts. To be a pioneer, to be the only one product is important for securing the advantage in the market.

When we are good to the nature, Cricula will sustain and bring good to human beings. When we learn to fully utilise a resource and understand local resources in the form of material and ancestor knowledge, there is no massive cost involve. The key is to understand the available local resources and incepting the appropriate knowledge and technology. By understanding the available resources of a village and educating the villagers on creative ways to utilize their available resources to develop new products or ideas, it is possible to manifest a development which is unique to a specific village.

Start small with locally available resources. It is paramount to understand the actual condition of a situation in order to provide the solutions through appropriate knowledge and technology inception. It is realistic to create economic value for a product in order to be sustainable in today’s global environment. Instead of the old linear economy, we should switch to circular economy, which causes minimum harm to our home, Earth. An economy progressing in harmony with nature should be the final goal for all industries and human activities.

kratonjogja.id is the official website of the Royal Family of Yogyakarta. Please kindly visit facebook.com/criculatrifenestrata for reliable and updated progress of this initiative. Thank you.