Masroor Ahmad
SRINAGAR: After the Jammu and Kashmir administration sanctioned the repair and renovation work of the centuries-old houseboats, which are on the verge of collapse and were desperately in need of revival. Many houseboat owners are eager to start the renovating their houseboats but due to non-availability of required timber the work is yet to start.
Houseboats are one of the main attractions for tourists coming to the Kashmir Valley, but this century-old houseboats industry on the world-famous Dal Lake is fighting for its survival as the government had banned the repair and renovation work of these houseboats some 40 years ago.
Dozens of houseboats on Dal Lake and Jhelum River have drowned in the past few years in the valley. The houseboat communities had been pushing for the lifting of the ban for the repair and renovation of these houseboats.
“It’s a very welcome step that we have been given permission for the repairs and construction of 19 houseboats. In the coming time, we are hopeful that we will get an order for other houseboats also which are in need of repair and reconstruction but there should be a proper single window system for clearance and all other related matter. As you know, houseboats are one of the major parts of the tourism sector, said, General Secretary of the Houseboat Owners Association, Manzoor Ahmad Pakhtoon.
“It’s a welcome step and we are thankful to the LG admin and high court for allowing us. It’s a very good step and there is a wave of happiness among the houseboat dwellers. Most of the houseboats need repair, the numbers have come down in the last few decades and with this order, we are hoping to save the heritage,” he added.
According to the records, there were around 2000 houseboats in the Kashmir Valley and now these numbers have come down to 700 to750 on the Dal Lake. Additionally, the number of houseboats in total across Srinagar City stands at 1100. The houseboat community has been pushing the government to declare the houseboat industry as a heritage industry, as this Industry is the back bone of tourism sector.
Tourist around the world are coming to stay in house boats as we are providing 5star facilities, but unfortunately houseboat owners are fighting for existence, General Secretary said.
Houseboats need repair every year, and waterproofing of the base needs to be done every year. We have requested the government that houseboats should be declared as heritage industry,” said a Houseboat owners Association member.
Decades ago when the government banned the repair work of these houseboats, now there are few people available, who can do the repair work, because they have chosen another skill and art. There is a dearth of craftsmen who know the repair work of these houseboats these days. According to locals, only 80-85 craftsmen at present know the repairing work of the houseboats, he added
With this permission, things will change for good; we are going to start repairing work in houseboats right now. These houseboats need to be saved,” said a houseboat repair craftsman.
With the government allowing the repair and renovation work of these houseboats in Srinagar city, the houseboat dwellers believe that now they will be able to save the heritage of the Kashmir Valley.