Process on to include Srinagar in UNESCO Creative Cities Network

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, April 28

A workshop was held here to prepare a dossier for the inclusion of Srinagar city in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network.

Stakeholders from different walks of life attended the workshop held on Saturday as part of the ‘Restoration and Strengthening of Livelihoods’ component of the Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project funded by the World Bank. Speaking on the occasion, Iftikhar Ahmad Kakroo, technical director of the project, said: “The aim of the workshop is to provide a platform for the stakeholders involved with the various aspects of the Kashmir handicrafts and obtain their valuable inputs for the preparation of the said dossier.”

Saleem Beg, convener, Intach, J&K chapter, said there was a need for more pilot projects in the field and stressed on inclusion of artisans in the policy formulation.

Prof NA Nadeem from the Central University of Kashmir emphasised on the need for developing more innovative craft designs and quick-patent registration of new designs.

Zubair Ahmad, director, Craft Development Institute, Srinagar, said they were working on the quality certification and geographical indication (GI) labels of various local crafts and also working on the development of more innovative designs and quality control of the products.

Mushtaq Ahmad, assistant director, Handicrafts, said: “In the present times, there is an urgent need to blend the various crafts to make the Kashmiri crafts innovative for buyers.”

Artisans from various crafts such as pashmina weaving, papier mache, wood carving, ‘namdhaas’ and ‘khatamband’ were also present on the occasion.

Project was launched in 2004 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Creative Cities Network project was launched in 2004 to promote cooperation among cities which recognised creativity as a major factor in their urban development