Beyond the breath-taking mirror of Dal Lake lies a hidden story etched in wood and vibrant colours. Nestled amidst the beautiful Dal Lake, serves as a canvas for the craftsmanship exhibited in the iconic Shikaras and houseboats that grace its waters.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the skilled artist whose families have meticulously crafted these wooden wonders for generations, Ghulam Nabi Kinzou, said, “I have been working in this craft for the last 25 to 30 years. My father was involved in this craft, and after him, I took over this craft of Shikaras and houseboat making. We have about 10 to 15 types of Shikara made here, and it takes us about 20 days to make Shikara.”
“It is a time-consuming and hectic process but thanks to the Almighty Allah, work is good,” said Ghulam Nabi, adding, his workload is dependent on the tourism sector. “We make our Shikaras from Deodar wood. It incurs huge expenses to shift our material here in the interiors of Dal Lake,” he said.
Speaking about government support, he added that if rates are controlled, “it will be easy for us, and we can continue our work easily”.
“Though I am skilled in making both houseboats and Shikaras, government regulations have limited me to crafting Shikaras only. I seek to expand my work by building more Shikaras, and houseboats but my heart aches for the declining houseboat industry. Therefore, I urge the government to reconsider the ban and allow responsible construction of houseboats to revive this vibrant tradition,” said Ghulam Nabi.
The iconic houseboats are declining, with a recorded number decrease from 2000 to just 750, courtesy of a blanket ban on construction and non-availability of master craftsmen.
President Houseboat Owners Association (HBOA), Manzoor Pakhtoon, said till early 1980s, there were almost 2000 houseboats in Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake, and river Jehlum. “But today, the number of houseboats in Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake, Chinar Bagh, and river Jhelum is just 750,” he said.
He expressing serious concern over the fast-fading houseboats, once known as the “Crown of Kashmir.”
“Moreover, as a houseboat is usually made out of Cedar wood, which can withstand damage from being in water for long periods, the houseboats usually have a corridor, drawing room, dining room, pantry, two to four bedrooms with attached bathrooms with hot and cold water,” he added.
Suhail Yaseen, who owns a houseboat at Dal Lake, said, the number of houseboats is fast shrinking, and they can’t construct new houseboats as there are hardly any master craftsmen left now. “Those who are present, the government should activate support for them,” he added—(KNO)