The Indian textiles ministry has decided to develop Kanihama village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district as a handloom village. The village is the traditional seat of Pashmina and Kani shawl weaving in Kashmir.

The village has around 250 handloom weaver households besides having more than 500 weavers and artisans. Facilities like looms, handlooms and handicraft showrooms and training for latest and innovative designs will be made available to the artisans in the village, according to media reports from the state.

The work that will be carried out under the project includes repair and construction of internal village roads, installation of ATM, drinking water and toilet facilities construction of 30 work sheds, 20 looms, parks, display of publicity hoardings, signage, installation of solar and street lights, beautification of surroundings and creation of tourist attraction points, craft demo in the village and plying of eco-friendly buses.