‘Eco-friendly intervention’: Now, KU answer sheets to turn into papier mache products

Srinagar: In a first, waste paper generated from the Kashmir University (KU) will be used to make papier mache products.

Till date, heaps of waste paper especially the answer sheets of examinations were burnt. However, the paper will now be utilised in an eco-friendly way following the initiative of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir.

“What we have done is that we got a tie up with one of our Common Facility Centre (CFC) and one of our co-operatives with KU. They will be sourcing the paper…..otherwise the paper generated by the university was being burnt. Now, this paper will be used for ‘sakhta’ (mould) making for papier mache products. It is an eco-friendly intervention,” Director, Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmad Shah told The Kashmir Monitor.

He made the comments during the third edition of the Srinagar Craft Safari that was held in the Zadibal area of the old city on Saturday.

Shah said Zadibal was the hub of handicrafts and the Handicrafts and Handloom Department will continue to organise safaris in the coming days to promote the old city crafts including papier mache.

“We have already held two craft safaris in Safakadal and Eidgah-Narwara-Kawdara areas. Today is the third edition that is being held in the Zadibal area. Zadibal is the hub of handicrafts and we will be conducting more safaris next month in different parts of old Srinagar city. We have already identified three routes,” he said.

As Srinagar has made it to the coveted list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Crafts and Folk Arts Category for the year 2021, the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir has started a Craft Safari to promote the old city crafts.

As part of the Safari, the department has identified several artisans and clusters in old Srinagar city. At the same time, safaris have different routes. Going for a safari through a single route takes around two to three hours during which participants meet different craftsmen and also come across heritage structures of downtown Srinagar. The participants can also see the artisans working and how shawls, carpets, caps, papier mache products, etc are made.