Saharanpur Wood Cravers’ Association PEOPLE People in Saharanpur have, for always, been working with wood. More than four lac people are directly or indirectly involved in the craft and still thrive on daily wages. Ninety percent of the artisans here are Muslims and their patterns are greatly influenced by Kashmiri designs. These ‘karigars’ are experts in ‘jaali’ or latticework. For years, their expertise and specialized skills have been passed down from generations.
Saharanpur Wood Cravers’ Association of the Doab land which stretches between the holy rivers of the Ganges and the Yamuna, The Shivalik hills rise above it on the northern frontier The District covers a forest Cover of 332229 Hectare or 9.13% land area of Saharanpur covers as forest area. In the area under Shivalik reserve forest Shisham, Sal, etc are found. Popular & eucalyptus are also grown by farmers.
10%
90% Muslim
Others
Fig. 3.9 Chart Showing percentage of communities
Fig. 3.12 Images Showing Workplaces
Forest Cover
Cultivable Barren Land
1%
40%
59%
Vaibhav Kumar Bansal | 23
400
Non Agricultural Land
136
Saharanpur is situated in Uttar Pradesh and is administered by a Municipal Corporation. Saharanpur is also the administrative headquarters for the Saharanpur district as well as Saharanpur Division. The city was founded by a Sufi Saint, Shah Haroon who was also the treasurer of the Mughal Empire. It is located very close to Haryana and Uttarakhand states’ border and is surrounded by an agricultural region that produces grains as well as fruits. Saharanpur is quite popular for wood carving, Fig. 3.11 Land Distribution in District cottage industry, and agricultural produce such as mangoes and basmati rice. Industries such as Paper, Sugar, Textiles, Cigarette factories, etc are situated here. Sub-tropical climate influenced by the monsoon prevails in Saharanpur as it is situated very near to the Himalayan region. Sub humid region prevails in upper Ganga plains. Saharanpur’s average annual temperature is 23.3 deg. January is the coldest month and June, the hottest month. Humidity in the eastern region is higher than in the western region. Saharanpur forms the most northerly position
6
PLACE
RS. IN CRORE
Fig. 3.10 Images Showing Community People
ECONOMY The wooden handicrafts in Saharanpur include furniture, decorative items, and wooden items. These items are exported all over the world. The woodwork of Saharanpur district is world-famous and is exported to many Western countries. Wood carvings are done on decorated furniture, home furnishings, and children’s toys. These finished goods are exported to America, Spain, Germany, France, Canada, and the U.K. In 1980 the export of specially designed Indian furniture was to the tune of Rs 6 crore but during 1996-97 this export rose to about Rs 136 crore. Today the annual value of the wood carving industry of Saharanpur is pegged at about Rs 400 crore and it supports the livelihood of about 150,000 artisans. About 35 main furnishing firms of Saharanpur contribute half to the Indian export. Mango, sheesham, and teak wood is used mainly in this industry.
1980
1996
YEAR
2015
Fig. 3.13 Graph Showing Rise in Economy
Vaibhav Kumar Bansal | 24
