Kashmir’s ancient stone carving faces collapse amid mining ban

Srinagar, Jan 8: Stone carvers in Sanderkoot village of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district are grappling with the fallout of a mining ban imposed in 2019 which has now disrupted a centuries-old tradition of stone carving, leaving hundreds of families without their primary source of income.

The carvers, locally referred to as sang taraash, have relied on devere stone from local mountains for generations to craft curbstones, gravestones, and floor stones. Since the 2019 mining ban, they have lost access to this essential material, halting their craft and threatening their livelihoods and a centuries-old cultural tradition.

Notably, the Sanderkoot village is renowned for its centuries-old tradition of stone carving, which holds a significant place in Kashmir's cultural heritage.

The skilled artisans have been crafting exquisite stone pieces such as curbstones, gravestones, and floor stones from the region’s unique devere stone.

Sharing his concern with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Shakeel Ahmad, a local who took up the craft in 2008, said they now face challenges. “For years, I supported my family with this work. After the ban, everything changed. The government tells us to look for other jobs but does not provide alternatives or address our concerns. This is not just about stone carving; it’s about survival for many of us," he said.

Mushtaq Ahmad, another carver, said this craft has been in their families for hundreds of years. "It’s not just a job but a way of life. Generations have passed this skill down, and now we cannot continue it. The government is preserving other art forms, so why not ours? We only ask for the means to work again," he said.

Haleema Begum, the wife of a stone carver, spoke about the struggles faced by families. “My husband’s earnings came from carving stones for homes and masjids. Now, we don’t even have enough for basic necessities. We don’t want charity; we want to work. The ban has left us dependent on odd jobs, which are not enough to sustain our family,” she said.

The locals said the ban was implemented without consultation or an understanding of its impact.

Several carvers have tried switching to other professions, but with limited skills outside their traditional craft, options remain scarce. “I tried working as a labourer, but the income is inconsistent,” said Bashir Ahmad, another carver. “This art was our identity. Losing it feels like losing a part of who we are.”

“This craft has been part of our lives for centuries, passed down from one generation to the next,” said Nazir Ahmad, a stone carver. “Now, with the ban, we are unable to continue what our ancestors sustained for so long. It feels like our heritage and livelihood are being erased.”

Another group of artisans who have been carving stones for generations, now find themselves struggling after the mining ban. "With no access to raw materials, we have had to turn to daily labour, but the income is unpredictable and barely enough to meet our basic needs. It’s a difficult reality after years of craftsmanship," they said.

In other districts, artisans who have relied on local stone quarries for generations are also facing similar challenges. They urge the government to lift the ban or introduce a sustainable mining policy that allows them to resume their work. They also demand skill development programmes and financial assistance for families affected by the ban.

Meanwhile, an official said that the government is in the process of reviewing the matter. He said Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary will form a committee to assess and categorise these mining sites as either major or minor. "The final decision will be made based on the committee’s recommendations," the official said—(KNO)