BUSINESS

The traditional art of walnut wood carving is facing a decline as demand diminishes, posing challenges to the centuries-old craft and its skilled artisans. Artisans associated with this craft expressed their concerns to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), saying the tradition of walnut wood carving is experiencing a decline. Ghulam Qadir Matoo, 80, a seasoned walnut wood carving artist in Arampora Nawakadal Srinagar, said his grandfather, Ghulam Mohammad Matoo, initiated their workshop in 1920. He recounted that there used to be hundreds of artisans engaged in walnut wood carving, but after 1980, the industry witnessed a decline due to a shift in people's preferences and a decrease in demand. “Tourists visit the area, but they prefer purchasing from showrooms, which yi...

After apple, it is now walnuts, which suffer heavy losses due to the bulk import of this dry fruit from Afghanistan. Kashmiri walnut, which has already been suffering due to the onslaught by Californian and Chile walnuts is now facing threat from the Afghani walnuts. President Kashmir Walnut Growers Association Haji Bahadur Khan told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Kashmir News Observer that bulk quantities of walnuts were imported from Afghanistan to India, which he said was denting this particular industry. “We are witnessing immense losses due to these imports. There is a free trade agreement between India and Afghanistan due to which walnuts come in large quantities to India. It has invaded our domestic market to a large extent,” he said. While Khan said they will...

For the second consecutive year Kupwara district has recorded the highest number of walnut production in Jammu and Kashmir. The district is also known for many other fruit production but walnut remains its mainstay. As per officials about 80 per cent of the total population in the district is directly or indirectly associated with agricultural and horticulture activities. Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), an official of the Horticulture department said that Kupwara district has again this year remained the top producer of walnuts in the entire J&K. The official said that 37,010 metric tonnes of walnuts were produced this year in the district. The official said that Rajwar, Vilgam, Kralgund, Ashpora, Langate, Mawer, Sogam, Trehgam, Kralpora and Teethwal are...

Soon after completing her graduation Aamina (25) searched for a job both in government and private sector. Given that she had limitations of looking after her home as well, Aamina decided to set up her own venture to generate employment for others as well. Come 2021, she set up a boutique, which made her financially independent apart from generating employment for other skilled women as well. “Now, I have four designers working in my boutique. The idea became successful as I devoted my entire time to expanding my business. From stylish Pherans to beautiful dresses, we cater to a large number of women in Baramulla district,” she said. Not only Aamina, scores of the women are setting up their own ventures to become financially independent and to counter unemployment. As per th...

In a distressing turn of events, 500 girl students hailing from Katra, Jammu Kashmir, encountered a disturbing experience during their educational tour in Mumbai. The students, who were on an educational excursion, faced a series of alarming incidents during their stay at the Royal Palms Hotel in Goregaon. Professor Rajesh Singh, who accompanied the students, shed light on the unsettling conditions they encountered. The hotel, infamous due to previous incidents involving a sex racket and recent police raids, provided inadequate facilities and failed to maintain even basic hygiene standards. Reports emerged that the hotel rooms were unclean, with stained sheets and unsatisfactory amenities, leaving the girls dismayed and distressed. The situation escalated during dinner when ...

The heavy flow of Iranian apple into Indian markets has again started bothering valley apple growers, who claimed that they are facing losses for the last half-a month. Apple growers told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), cheaper Iranian apple varieties have started making their presence in the Indian market, which has brought down the demand and rates for Kashmiri apple. “Kashmiri apples this year had a great demand. We had a very little apple crop due to which the rates were high. But now like previous years, Iranian apples are entering India via Wagah border in huge quantities,” said North Kashmir Fruit Growers Association, president Fayaz Ahmad Malik. He said the imports of Iranian apples have been coming for the last 15 days which brought down the rates of apples by mo...

Tourists visiting Kashmir may not be able to see and enjoy their stays in the iconic houseboats after a decade from now as the number of “floating palaces” has recorded a drastic decline from 2000 to just 750--Courtesy: blanket ban on construction and non-availability of master craftsmen. The number of houseboats, one of the huge attractions for the tourists, is dwindling at a great pace due to the blanket ban on construction. Another major reason for the diminishing number of houseboats is that there are only master craftsmen left, who too are in the later part of their life, not able to work much. In an exclusive chat with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), President Houseboat Owners Association (HBOA), Manzoor Pakhtoon said that till early 1980’s, there were almost 2000 ...

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCC&I), in a press release said that they have been closely observing the ongoing erratic power supply in the Kashmir valley. “This has been gravely affecting the industry, trade/business, and households in general,” says KCC&I. The Chamber expresses its concern and disappointment with the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) and its “unreliable and contradictory policies” for maintaining regular power supply. “The department promised uninterrupted electric supply with the installation of smart meters, but this hasn’t been the case. Power supply remains severely erratic for most of the year,” adds KCC&I. KPDCL’s announced schedule for electric supply hasn’t been followed, further compounding the issue...

After many years, Kashmir’s apple is witnessing a huge demand with rates going up by 50 percent compared to last year. However, growers claimed that the production this year has reduced by 40 percent due to the weather vagaries. In all the fruit markets of the valley and the rest of India, the Kashmir apple is currently ruling the roost. Compared to the previous year the rates of apples this season have gone up by 50 per cent. President Parimpora Fruit Mandi, Bashir Ahmad Bashir said that the Grade A apple was sold between Rs 1000- 1300 per box. Last year, he said the same quality of apple would fetch them Rs 600 per box. “If we talk about Shopian Garde A apple, its cost ranges from Rs 1200-1300 per box. Similarly, apples coming from north Kashmir are being sold at Rs 800...