Handloom emporia to help rebuild livelihoods in Uttarakhand
Updated: Jul 30, 2013 02:37:05pm
Dehradun, Jul 30 (KNN) The Uttarakhand Government plans to develop handloom emporia in the flood ravaged region of Uttarkashi and Dharchula, as a measure to rebuild confidence amongst the small and medium entrepreneurs of the handloom sector.
Uttarkashi and Dharchula were the worst affected districts during the floods of June 16-17 which completely devastated the place.
“These two areas were completely cut off from other places during the floods. People were shattered and many lost their livelihood completely,” said Uttarakhand Industries Association President, Pankaj Gupta.
To support the region, the Uttarakhand Handloom and Handicraft Development Council (UHHDC) seeks the services of firms and agencies to handle the concept, design and plan for the interiors of two handloom and handicrafts showrooms, known as ‘Himadri’.
“Dharchula is the biggest handloom cluster in the state with more than 1,000 weavers employed here. The step that UHHDC has taken is very important from the livelihood point of view. The move is to keep the people engaged in the same activities in which they were before the floods,” Gupta added.
“More than 20,000 people will benefit from this,” he added.
UHHDC has been focussing much on publicity and marketing strategies of handicraft products so it can attract visitors and at the same time showcase handloom and handicraft products of the state.
Further, UHHDC has set up a Himadri Emporium at its premises at Uttarkashi and wants to develop it with suitable interiors and exteriors, giving it a traditional that would depict the art, craft, culture and architecture of the state.
UHHDC has been acting as a facilitator to motivate guide and organize artisans and provide them with common platforms for direct interactions between creators and connoisseurs, producers and buyers. The State specializes in production of woollen handlooms, cotton handlooms, silk products, products of other natural fibres and also many other innovative combinations.
Wool and woodwork is a traditional skill in this mountainous region. Uttarakhand Sheep and Wool Development board has been constituted to integrate various activities right from breed improvement, health and veterinary care of sheep, availability of better rams, proper shearing of wool, washing, grading and training of rearers / wool / producers.
Harsil, Belchi, Merino are the main varieties of wool produced locally.
Some important clusters of cotton handlooms are Kashipur, Jaspur, Mahuadabra (US Nagar), Rampur, Kalsi (Dehradun), Imlikhera (Hardwar) Khateema (Champawat).
Uttarakhand has unique environmental conditions for producing all types of silk: Mulberry silk in terai and plain areas and Tassar silk in hill areas. While the oak Tassar of Uttarakhand is unique, the mulberry silk produced is of superior quality. Tassar silk is a high value silk, increasing their household incomes and providing an incentive to conserve local biodiversity.
The state produces more than 40 varieties of natural fibres. These fibres are amenable to work on handlooms. The fibres alone and more so in combination with cotton , silk and wool, have presented unique opportunities to artisans, weavers, designers and researchers for developing a new and innovative range of products. (KNN/SD)
Feedback: newsdesk@knnindia.co.in
Uttarkashi and Dharchula were the worst affected districts during the floods of June 16-17 which completely devastated the place.
“These two areas were completely cut off from other places during the floods. People were shattered and many lost their livelihood completely,” said Uttarakhand Industries Association President, Pankaj Gupta.
To support the region, the Uttarakhand Handloom and Handicraft Development Council (UHHDC) seeks the services of firms and agencies to handle the concept, design and plan for the interiors of two handloom and handicrafts showrooms, known as ‘Himadri’.
“Dharchula is the biggest handloom cluster in the state with more than 1,000 weavers employed here. The step that UHHDC has taken is very important from the livelihood point of view. The move is to keep the people engaged in the same activities in which they were before the floods,” Gupta added.
“More than 20,000 people will benefit from this,” he added.
UHHDC has been focussing much on publicity and marketing strategies of handicraft products so it can attract visitors and at the same time showcase handloom and handicraft products of the state.
Further, UHHDC has set up a Himadri Emporium at its premises at Uttarkashi and wants to develop it with suitable interiors and exteriors, giving it a traditional that would depict the art, craft, culture and architecture of the state.
UHHDC has been acting as a facilitator to motivate guide and organize artisans and provide them with common platforms for direct interactions between creators and connoisseurs, producers and buyers. The State specializes in production of woollen handlooms, cotton handlooms, silk products, products of other natural fibres and also many other innovative combinations.
Wool and woodwork is a traditional skill in this mountainous region. Uttarakhand Sheep and Wool Development board has been constituted to integrate various activities right from breed improvement, health and veterinary care of sheep, availability of better rams, proper shearing of wool, washing, grading and training of rearers / wool / producers.
Harsil, Belchi, Merino are the main varieties of wool produced locally.
Some important clusters of cotton handlooms are Kashipur, Jaspur, Mahuadabra (US Nagar), Rampur, Kalsi (Dehradun), Imlikhera (Hardwar) Khateema (Champawat).
Uttarakhand has unique environmental conditions for producing all types of silk: Mulberry silk in terai and plain areas and Tassar silk in hill areas. While the oak Tassar of Uttarakhand is unique, the mulberry silk produced is of superior quality. Tassar silk is a high value silk, increasing their household incomes and providing an incentive to conserve local biodiversity.
The state produces more than 40 varieties of natural fibres. These fibres are amenable to work on handlooms. The fibres alone and more so in combination with cotton , silk and wool, have presented unique opportunities to artisans, weavers, designers and researchers for developing a new and innovative range of products. (KNN/SD)
Feedback: newsdesk@knnindia.co.in
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