Kashmir's New Hustle Is Handmade And High-Tech

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer)
KO file photo by Abid Bhat

Beyond the headlines, Kashmir's true wealth lies in its harvests. The region's bounty ripens on orchard trees, weaves through artisan looms, and flows through its timeless valleys. For Kashmir, the road to lasting prosperity is one rooted in these sustainable practices.

At the heart of this green economy is horticulture. Apples from the Valley already travel across India and beyond, but diversification is key. Alongside apples, walnuts, cherries, and saffron-a spice more precious than gold-can offer a resilient farm economy less vulnerable to market or climate shocks. With smart packaging, organic branding and better cold storage, these products could double their value.

Kashmir's handwoven carpets, Pashmina shawls, and walnut wood carvings are already admired across the globe. Yet many artisans remain locked in local markets. The digital economy offers them a passport to global buyers. One artisan with an Etsy shop can earn what ten shops do in Srinagar's bazaars.

Tourism, long a mainstay, remains a big income push. But the new tourist cares about impact. Eco-lodges, heritage homestays and zero-waste treks can both preserve nature and create lasting jobs. This is where circular economy ideas-like waste recycling, local sourcing, and renewable energy-can be more than theory.

Education and commerce, too, must move online. Digital classrooms can break the region's isolation. E-commerce can bring its creators and growers to global markets without middlemen.

Read Also Threads of Identity: Why Kashmiri Craft Needs Revival Now From Looms to Orchards: Why Kashmir's MSMEs Deserve Better Lending

Kashmir's potential lies not in polluting factories or quick fixes, but in patient investment in what it already has: rich soil, skilled hands, and stunning landscapes. If nurtured right, these could turn Kashmir into a model of green prosperity.

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