Category 1: Traditional Industries

Category 1: Traditional Industries

The state has the advantage of producing apparel grade wool. A large section of population is involved in sheep rearing and production of wool especially in the border areas of the state. Wool and wool work i.e., Pashmina shawls, Pankhi unique gents shawl, Loi, Tweed (cloth for coats), Mufler and caps, Thulma, Carpet, Chtka etc. is a traditional skill in hills. Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Champavat, Didihat (Bageshwer) Dharchula (Pithoragarh), Ranikhet (Almora), Munsyari, and Tehri are having the potentials for wool industry. Uttarakhand Sheep and Wool Development board has been working breed improvement, health and veterinary care of sheep, availability of better rams, proper shearing of wool, washing, grading and training of rearers/wool/ producers. Wool banks have been set up by the KVIB to provide all kinds of wool varieties in the state. KVIB is also encouraging hand spinning with efficient charkhas in homes, and buyers who are looking for actual handmade woolen products can find these in the state. Harsil, Belchi, Merino are the main varieties of wool produced locally.

The state is also well known for cotton handlooms like bed sheets, rajai covers, curtains, surgical cloth (patti), durries, Asan, handloom cloth, table cloth, dusters etc. Traditional weavers producing cotton handlooms are mainly located in U.S. Nagar, Haridwar and Dehradun. Some important handloom clusters are in Kalsi (Dehradun), Kashipur, Jaspur, Mahuadabra (US Nagar), Rampur, Imlikhera (Haridwar), and Khateema (Champawat).

The state also has unique environmental conditions for producing mulberry silk in terai and plain areas and tassar silk in hill areas. There are 72 mulberry farms in the State spread over 507 acres. There are 104 Sericulture Societies, 9 research stations/units of Central Silk Board. The production of Oak Tasar cocoon, raw silk, and mulberry silk cocoons is 31 lakhs and 13 MT and 110 MT through nearly 4000 rearer families respectively. Nearly 80% of the cocoon production is concentrated in Dehradun. There are 4 cocoon markets with storage capacity of 130 MT and 7 reeling units in the private sector in the State. Concerted efforts in product development in silk based items have been very successful and a variety of silk products are now available, like shawls, stoles, dress material etc.

The state produces more than 40 varieties of natural fibers which are amenable to work on handlooms. These fibers have presented unique opportunities to the artisans, weavers, designers and researchers to develop a new and innovative range of cotton, silk and wool products. 26 weaver’s cooperative societies have been covered under Deendayal Hathkargha Yojna and with modernization; new designs, better quality control, and variety of competitive and attractive products are being produced. A national level institute for R&D in this area has been proposed by Uttarakhand Bamboo and Fiber Development Board.

Handicrafts: The rich and glorious culture of the state is characterized by its diverse array of handicrafts which have been appreciated by the connoisseurs of the craft world. The skilled craftsmen of the state ,by using simple tools and by putting in a great deal of hard work and creativity, are attracting the tourists who are coming from far and wide in the state and taking back with them a variety of handicrafts. The abundant availability of wood in the region has led to the production of artistic wooden products. The beautifully crafted wooden furniture has drawn the attraction of craft lovers.

Besides this the craft of traditional jewellery making (gold, silver, copper and brass) with simple and classy designs is the specialty of state. Kumaoni and Garhwali traditional and designer nath are very famous among the tourists. Haridwar is well known for artificial jewellery making. Stone work is also very popular in the state. Pauri, Nainital, Tehri, U.S. Nagar, and Uttarkashi are famous for stone work. Another artistic facet of the culture of state is beautiful paintings. Garhwal is very famous for the Mughal style of paintings. Pitha is also famous as other type of painting. Besides this some districts are famous for unique crafts i.e.,; Dehradun, Tehri and Rudra Prayag for wooden furniture; Nainital, Tanakpur and Bageshwer for drift wood (ekabana and statue etc); Almora, Uder Khani and Chaugaonchina for copperware; Nachani, Dharmghar for ringal products (musta, dalia); Nainital for decorative candle making, Pauri for weaving and knitting, Bageshwar for weaving, and Uttarkashi for leather works etc.

Due to market demand especially in pilgrimage centers of Haridwar and Rishikesh floriculture is emerging as a commercial activity in the State and also in the markets of Delhi, Lucknow, Meerut, etc. With the identification of districts; Dehradun, Nainital and US Nagar under AEZ - Floriculture, units have been set up for open and protected cultivation of flowers. There is also vast scope for plant material multiplication for bulbous ornamentals.

Such industries include Resin Factories, Katha Factory, Century Paper Mill (Lal Kuan), Plywood factories, Saw Mills, etc. There are 401 saw mills in the state including plywood factories. The raw material is being procured from Uttarakhand and UP. To promote such industries, Century Pulp and Paper Mill Ltd, Nainital and WIMCO Seedlings Ltd, US Nagar district are providing planting stock and technical inputs to farm forestry and agro-forestry activities. In addition, there is ample scope to develop industries based on forest and agro-wastes (lantana, pine-needles and vegetative fibres; Rambans). Actions are being taken in an integrated manner with specialized agencies, for R&D, product development and promotion of industries based on such materials. It will enable immense opportunities for the development of export-oriented units based on such products.

Due to special geographical location and unexploited vast available resources the state is also attracting investment in other types of industries too which are not traditional yet have potentials in the state.