Mohd Rafiq Shah
Kashmir popularly known as the paradise on earth has been very famous in handicrafts sector since ages. Central Kashmir (Heart of Kashmir) including Srinagar, Gandebal and Budgam is the hub for this sector. But unfortunately Jammu and Kashmir has not been able to attract investment from the private sector, and has remained an industrially backward state due to its unique economic obstacles arising out of remoteness and poor connectivity, hilly and often inhospitable terrain, poor infrastructure, sparse population density, shallow markets, and most importantly a law and order situation threatened by militancy. Besides such obstacles Kashmir is very famous in handicrafts because of its unique design, cost and quality of products. Handicrafts have remained a key economic activity in the state of Kashmir valley. Kashmir has also a great contribution towards exports from the handicraft sector. It is mainly labour intensive and hence causes no harm to economy. Besides, providing employment to literate as well as illiterate persons in both rural and urban areas, it acts as a subsidiary source for the farmers who remain un-employed during the off season. Government also plays a great role for the up liftment of this sector by providing various schemes. Carpet and Shawls occupy the most prominent place on the production front in Kashmir. Both males and females are dependent on this sector in Kashmir valley. Carpet, Shawls, Silver ware, paper Machie, Gabba making, Wood carving, Namdha so-on and so-forth are the major crafts used in the valley of Kashmir and thus contributes heavily towards the export of the state. Being eco-friendly, this sector suits to the state as it is more labour intensive and less capital intensive in nature, therefore, having scope for employment generation at a large scale. From societal point of view it is mostly preferred sector after agriculture because of suitable conditions in terms of topography of state. In economic terms it helps in generation of aggregate employment and raising per capita income of state and hence contributes to State Gross Domestic Product (SGDP) in particular and National Income (NI) in general. The present study entails the growth, strategies and various problems faced by the handicraft industry of Kashmir. The role of the government in promoting the craft will also be discussed before concluding the paper.
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