Mindless deforestation and the apathy of Jammu and Kashmir government towards the plight of wicker work artisans, who produce the world famous kangri, earthen fire pot used by Kashmiris to keep themselves warm during winter, has brought Rs 40-crores annual industry on the brink of extinction, claim kangri artisans.
Between 30 to 40 lakh kangris are being produced every year to meet the demand within and outside the state, a wicker work artisan from Charar-e-Sharief town in central Kashmir's Budgam district. Bhat says mindless deforestation had threatened the industry as wicker, the raw material for kangris, was short in supply.
This has raised the prices of wicker and hence the final product as well. "We had approached the government to take remedial measures but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears," he claims. Today, a kangri costs anything between Rs 50 to Rs 1500.
Though not an organised sector, Bhat is seen as the unofficial leader of the artisans of the area. He said he approached the government for providing soft loans to the artisans so that they could expand their operations.
This plea also got cold response from the government. This industry is dying. The artisans are taking to other trades as wicker work does no fetch them enough money to feed their families, he added. Giving details of the wicker work sector in the Valley, Bhat says although our town produces only 2.5 to three lakh kangris every year, the bulk of kangris come from Anantnag district in south Kashmir.
The kangris from Charar-e-Sharief are famed for their beauty and strength as they are made from superior wicker. That is why `Charar kangri', as known locally, is expensive, Bhat says. He says besides customers within the Valley, the `Charar kangri' is sold in Jammu and Delhi. We also take occasional orders from abroad, he adds.
Bashir Ahmad Wani, another kangri worker says this industry provides employment to lakhs of people. An artisan hires many labourers who help him in making the product, he says. He says the sale of kangris picks up from October, when the power supply becomes erratic. "We have good business between October and February of every winter. On an average, I sell around 50,000 kangris each season."
Ghulam Mohammad Shiekh, who used to be a wicker artisan, has converted his shop at Hazratbal in Srinagar into a general store. ``There is no point being in this trade. Human habitation has penetrated deep into what used to be forest area. It is not easy to find good raw material now,'' the 60-year-old says.
Shiekh says in good old days we used to make a host of furniture from wicker but now it is restricted to kangri, baskets and trays.
Walter R. Lawrence, the British settlement commissioner in Kashmir, in his book wrote: "What Laila was on Majnoo's bosom, so is kangri to a Kashmiri. But this art imported from Italy and perfected in Kashmir may not survive for too long."
Between 30 to 40 lakh kangris are being produced every year to meet the demand within and outside the state, a wicker work artisan from Charar-e-Sharief town in central Kashmir's Budgam district. Bhat says mindless deforestation had threatened the industry as wicker, the raw material for kangris, was short in supply.
This has raised the prices of wicker and hence the final product as well. "We had approached the government to take remedial measures but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears," he claims. Today, a kangri costs anything between Rs 50 to Rs 1500.
Though not an organised sector, Bhat is seen as the unofficial leader of the artisans of the area. He said he approached the government for providing soft loans to the artisans so that they could expand their operations.
This plea also got cold response from the government. This industry is dying. The artisans are taking to other trades as wicker work does no fetch them enough money to feed their families, he added. Giving details of the wicker work sector in the Valley, Bhat says although our town produces only 2.5 to three lakh kangris every year, the bulk of kangris come from Anantnag district in south Kashmir.
The kangris from Charar-e-Sharief are famed for their beauty and strength as they are made from superior wicker. That is why `Charar kangri', as known locally, is expensive, Bhat says. He says besides customers within the Valley, the `Charar kangri' is sold in Jammu and Delhi. We also take occasional orders from abroad, he adds.
Bashir Ahmad Wani, another kangri worker says this industry provides employment to lakhs of people. An artisan hires many labourers who help him in making the product, he says. He says the sale of kangris picks up from October, when the power supply becomes erratic. "We have good business between October and February of every winter. On an average, I sell around 50,000 kangris each season."
Ghulam Mohammad Shiekh, who used to be a wicker artisan, has converted his shop at Hazratbal in Srinagar into a general store. ``There is no point being in this trade. Human habitation has penetrated deep into what used to be forest area. It is not easy to find good raw material now,'' the 60-year-old says.
Shiekh says in good old days we used to make a host of furniture from wicker but now it is restricted to kangri, baskets and trays.
Walter R. Lawrence, the British settlement commissioner in Kashmir, in his book wrote: "What Laila was on Majnoo's bosom, so is kangri to a Kashmiri. But this art imported from Italy and perfected in Kashmir may not survive for too long."
