Kulgam’s Srandoo village sets new standards for low-cost, eco-friendly weddings

Kulgam, Nov 06: In a unique initiative aimed at promoting simplicity and eco-consciousness, Srandoo village in Kulgam has resolved to make weddings more affordable by limiting the number of traditional cuisines and banning single-use plastics at marriage events.
The decision was taken last Friday during a village meeting at the local mosque, where the village’s Auqaf Committee and residents gathered to address rising concerns over the mounting costs and environmental impacts of elaborate weddings.
Mubarak Ahmad, the village lumberdar, said that limiting cuisines in the traditional Kashmiri feast, wazwan, would ease the financial strain on families while promoting a return to simpler, community-centered celebrations.
“Today, we see unnecessary extravagance in marriages that often becomes a burden for families,” Ahmad told Rising Kashmir. “Our goal is to create a low-cost wedding environment, allowing families to conduct weddings without facing undue financial pressure.”
Abdul Hameed Bhat, head of the Auqaf Committee, said that there was an alarming report indicating that over 50,000 girls are unmarried due to societal pressures and escalating costs associated with wedding trends.
“The burden of matching high standards discourages many families,” he said. “This initiative is intended to reduce these social pressures, making weddings simpler and affordable for all.”
The committee head also said that they were concerned over wasteful practices, like the widespread use of plastic and the tradition of gifting large quantities of gold to brides, both of which they believe contribute to unnecessary financial stress.
“Our intention is not to compromise on the essentials, like the mehr (mandatory gift) for brides, but to end the lavish, excessive elements that have crept into our customs,” Hameed added.
Srandoo village is setting an example, and its residents hope to inspire neighboring villages to adopt similar environmentally friendly, budget-conscious celebrations that honor tradition without imposing financial strain.