Budgam, Feb 06: Four years after the government declared Kanihama in Budgam district as the valley’s first craft tourism village, local artisans making Kani shawls and other crafts, have expressed their disappointment over unfulfilled promises by the government.
Situated on Srinagar-Gulmarg highway, the government in 2020 declared it a crafts tourism village, known for its beautiful Kani shawls to promote local artisans and boost tourism.
However, four years later, many weavers and shopkeepers in the village told Rising Kashmir that the promised development remains largely unfulfilled.
Shabir Ahmad Dar, exporter and national awardee artisan said some facilities have been provided but not everyone was covered.
“More exhibitions should be organized. The Rs 35,000 fee for setting up stalls should be removed. We also need interest-free loans and more awareness about government schemes so all artisans can benefit,” the 50-year-old weaver said.
The artisans said they are uncertain about their future, voicing concerns that the next generation may abandon the craft and shatter their aspirations.
Tariq Ahmad, a young craftsman having ten years of experience in the field is disappointed saying they continue to face neglect and haven’t seen much change.
“We need a proper lighting system, which very few artisans have received. Machine-made shawls from outside should be banned as they reduce sales of our handmade products. Many customers get tricked into buying machine-made shawls, thinking they are handmade,” the 30-year-old said.
Local shopkeepers said they are also waiting for improvements stating that they were promised that the village would be made attractive and showrooms would be build where weavers would sell products directly to tourists.
“But nothing has happened yet. Middlemen control most the sales and weavers earn less money. Our families depend on this craft and we need direct access to buyers to improve our business,” said one shopkeeper.
However, Assistant Director, Handicrafts and Handloom, District Budgam, Altaf Mir acknowledged the struggles of artisans and assured them that efforts are ongoing.
He highlighted the progress made since 2012 when artisans across the valley were registered to promote handicrafts and handloom.
“Our district is home to a huge population of artisans, including those in carpet weaving, Kani shawls and Sozni embroidery. That is why Kanihama was declared a craft tourism village,” Mir said.
“We have provided a cluster in Kanihama and other facilities are being worked on under the All India Handloom and Handicraft initiative. Development takes time, but it is happening gradually,” he said.
The Assistant Director said recently the department provided 250 handlooms and batteries, but everything cannot be done at once and work is progressing rapidly.
“The middleman system will be eliminated and weavers need to be ready for it. Handicrafts have great potential because they have historically generated revenue for Kashmir,” he said.
Mir said they are supporting artisans by providing loans up to Rs 2 lakh with 7 percent subsidy. “The government’s schemes are available to them. Exhibitions are organized. More improvements will come step by step. Budgam has received four stalls from the government, which we are distributing to artisans,” he said.
He said they have introduced e-portal registrations, GI tags, and QR codes to differentiate between machine-made shawls and handmade ones to help artisans sell directly.
“Our teams conduct surveys to check GI tags. Recently, we issued warnings to shopkeepers against using fake tags. In the coming months, there will be significant development, and we are working to help artisans expand their businesses,” he said.
