Srinagar's Bid for World Craft City Tag| UPSC Current Affairs

Srinagar's Bid for World Craft City Tag

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Context

The World Crafts Council International (WCCI) is considering Srinagar for nomination as the World Craft City (WCC) from India this year.

WCCI Inspection Team Visit

A three-member team, is inspecting craft clusters, processes, and artisan status in Srinagar.
The team is evaluating the preservation and promotion of traditional crafts, including Pashmina shawls, carpets, and papier mâché.

Criteria for WCC Nomination

Cities are selected based on their efforts in preserving traditional crafts and building new market linkages.
Srinagar's final nomination decision is expected in the next two months.

Potential Benefits of WCC Status

The recognition could lead to new market opportunities and increased global visibility for Srinagar's crafts.
The WCCI has proposed to hold its annual meeting in Srinagar in November, expecting 200 delegates from WCC-tagged cities worldwide.

Collaboration for Craft Sector Mapping

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage-Kashmir (INTACH-K) is collaborating with the J&K Handicrafts department to map the craft sector.
This collaboration aims to showcase Kashmir's crafts to countries that influenced them historically, particularly from Central Asia.

Economic Impact of Handicrafts in Srinagar

Srinagar has 20,822 registered artisans involved in crafts like papier mâché, walnut wood carving, carpets, and shawls.
The handicraft sector contributes approximately 2.64% to the overall economy of J&K.

Potential Global Acknowledgement

The WCC recognition would provide global acknowledgment and visibility to Srinagar's centuries-old handicraft practices.
It emphasizes the importance of showcasing local artisans' skills to the world.

World Crafts Council

The World Crafts Council AISBL (WCC-AISBL) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization established in 1964 to promote fellowship and economic development through craft-related activities. It organizes exchange programs, workshops, conferences, seminars, and exhibitions to support craftspeople worldwide. The organization, registered in Belgium, is affiliated with UNESCO and is organized into five regions: Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and North America. Founded by Kamaladevi Chattopadhay and Aileen Osborn Webb, the WCC holds meetings and General Assemblies every few years, with notable events in Dublin in 2011, Chennai in 2012, and Isfahan in 2016.

Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH)

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is a non-profit organization established in 1984 with the aim of promoting heritage awareness and conservation in India. Registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, INTACH has made significant contributions to the preservation of India's natural and cultural heritage. The organization has been recognized internationally, receiving a special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 2007.

INTACH operates through its chapters in 215 Indian cities, as well as in Belgium and the United Kingdom. It has been actively involved in various conservation and protection projects, including the restoration of monuments, advocacy for heritage property conservation, and public awareness programs such as heritage walks and heritage clubs in schools.

The organization has also been instrumental in collaborations and partnerships, such as signing memorandums of understanding with AusHeritage for regional initiatives. INTACH's efforts extend beyond conservation to include activism, where it has protested against the destruction of heritage structures and advocated for their preservation.

One of INTACH's notable initiatives is the development of heritage villages like Raghurajpur in Odisha, which has become a major rural tourist destination. The organization has also undertaken restoration and conservation projects in collaboration with state governments, such as the restoration of 51 heritage monuments in Goa and 92 monuments in Delhi for the Commonwealth Games 2010.

The organization's logo, derived from a 3000-year-old anthropomorphic copper figure, symbolizes its commitment to preserving India's rich cultural heritage. INTACH's mission is to sensitize the public about India's cultural legacy, instill a sense of social responsibility towards heritage preservation, and protect and preserve India's heritage through various actions and measures. Through its work, INTACH continues to play a crucial role in conserving India's diverse heritage for future generations.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. How can India ensure the preservation and global promotion of Kashmir's traditional craftsmanship, considering its importance in the country's cultural heritage and economic growth?

SOURCE: THE HINDU