Srinagar: A group of eminent women from Kashmir have come together to propose a unique community-based initiative, titled “Cashmere Cradleland”, which aims to address multiple social challenges facing the Valley while simultaneously creating a nurturing environment for children and elders.
The proposal, sparked during a discussion on digital addiction at the Amar Singh Club’s Common Interest Conversations program, envisions a greenhouse community space in Srinagar dedicated to child development, elder care, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability.
A multi-dimensional intervention
The initiative is designed to respond to pressing issues such as digital and substance addiction, elder abuse, rising mental health concerns, late marriages, women’s unemployment, pollution, and the decline of Kashmir’s traditional arts and crafts.
The project seeks to create a safe space called Cashmere Cradleland in Srinagar, where children would be exposed to organic farming, animal care, sports, Kashmiri folk arts, and cultural heritage. It also proposes the establishment of assisted living and daycare facilities for elders, aiming to address rising cases of elder neglect and abuse.
“This is not just about creating a facility but about building a nurturing nest that channels the natural creativity of children and the wisdom of our elders into the larger progress of society,” the women behind the proposal said.
Environment, culture and livelihoods
The plan includes rejuvenating traditional Kashmiri arts such as shawl weaving, papier-mâché, carpet weaving, and wood carving, while simultaneously integrating modern technology in safe and constructive ways for the younger generation.
The proposed project also carries an environmental component, envisaging large-scale plantations of flowers, fruits, and vegetables within the facility, creating what the group describes as “fresh lungs” for Srinagar.
Women’s employment is at the heart of the proposal, with the intervention aiming to engage thousands of women in operations — particularly those who could not marry or find employment — by tapping into their nurturing and caregiving instincts.
Concerns over land use
The group has suggested the use of land at the Tattoo Ground in Srinagar, measuring over 139 acres, recently transferred to the Jammu & Kashmir Government. While official plans indicate that the land is being considered for a “world-class amusement park” or monetisation through auction, the women’s collective has appealed for it to be reserved instead for Cashmere Cradleland.
“We believe that the people of Kashmir, especially the younger generation, do not need another amusement park. What is needed is a community space that addresses deep-rooted social challenges and safeguards our cultural identity,” the group said, adding that land use must align with broader public interest and constitutional protections of community land rights.
The financial model for the project proposes self-sustaining income from ventures like dairy, fish farming, floriculture, and traditional crafts marketed under the Cashmere Cradleland brand. The group also hopes to mobilize contributions from senior citizens, sponsorships, and grants under women’s empowerment, child development, and cultural heritage schemes.
The women’s collective has urged the J&K Government to join hands with civil society in making Cashmere Cradleland a reality, describing it as “a chance to guide the next generation, empower Kashmiri women, and provide dignity to elders.”
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