Chkiriwood Craft Got GI Tag

J&K, Aug 09 : The department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Jammu added yet another feather in the cap of development of Jammu and Kashmir by securing GI tag for Chikriwood Craft of Poonch and Rajouri. The department under the able guidance of Sh Vikramjeet Sigh, IPS ,Commissioner Secretary to the government, Industries and Commerce Department, Jammu and Kashmir and seamless effort of Dr Vikas Gupta, Director Handicrafts and Handloom, Jammu along with his team of officer and official successfully achieved GI tag for the famous a Chikriwood craft. The tree of chikriwood grows in the hilly region of Poonch and Rajouri, Districts, at a height of 9000 feet above sea level and usely gain a height of about 12 to 15 feet. This medicinal value tree has natural proprieties for a longer shelf life. The craft is being practiced since centuries and secured its favorite position among kings families. This craft still occupies its place among the buyers for different items like, Comb, lady comb and other decorative items. About 20000 people are directly and indirectly linked with this craft. The department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Jammu filed an capplication through NABARD to GI registry in the year 2022 and after going through a set procedure got GI tag in the month of august 2023. It is worth mentioning here that the GI registry has given an opportunity to the applicant cooperative to present their case at Jammu itself and granted GI tag after hearing the applicant and Department. The durability of the wood make it special and its sustainability attracts customers, its ivory colour turns dark brown with the passage of time and become more attractive. The process of creating articulated item of chikriwood involves different stages like seasoning of wood picking up of selective piece of wood for different artifacts , carving shaping polishing etc.