Bukhari voices concern over decline of Srinagar’s heritage, traditional crafts

Srinagar, Jun 27: Expressing concern over what he described as the gradual neglect of Srinagar’s historic and cultural legacy, Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday called for sustained efforts to preserve the city’s heritage and revive its fast-disappearing traditional crafts.
Welcoming the establishment of a cultural centre at Maharaj Gunj, Bukhari said the initiative was a welcome step but stressed that preserving Kashmir’s heritage requires far more than isolated projects.
He said Srinagar’s Shehr-e-Khaas is itself a living museum, reflecting centuries of architectural excellence, Sufi traditions and world-renowned craftsmanship. However, he regretted that despite its historical significance, the old city has not received the level of conservation and protection it deserves.
Bukhari maintained that heritage conservation should not become a political issue or a means for political point-scoring. Instead, he said, it must be treated as a shared responsibility aimed at safeguarding Kashmir’s cultural identity for future generations.
Highlighting the plight of artisans, he said several traditional crafts that once defined Srinagar’s identity are now struggling for survival, forcing generations of skilled craftsmen to abandon their ancestral occupations due to poor economic returns.
Describing the situation as unfortunate, Bukhari said this decline has continued despite Srinagar earning recognition as a World Craft City from the World Crafts Council, an honour that reflects the extraordinary talent of Kashmiri artisans.
Calling for urgent intervention, he urged the government to intensify efforts to conserve historic buildings, protect cultural landmarks and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for artisans, saying these invaluable assets form the very soul of Srinagar and, once lost, cannot be restored. [KNT]