ECONOMIC REGENERATION IN AREAS OF VIOLENT LONG TERM CONFLICT – THE CASE OF KASHMIR

The objective of this work, which is based on primary research done through fieldwork in Kashmir, was to assess the impact of the conflict on the area of crafts. Kashmiri crafts employ over 500,000 people in the state. The conflict in the region between India and Pakistan has lead to over 60,000 dead and more missing since 1989, the count moves up on a daily basis. Personal interviews and meetings with Kashmiri crafts people, bureaucrats, widows, orphans and militants have contributed to this research. The conflict in the region has lead to increase in corruption and an upsurge in spending on defence. Crafts, which provide the highest employment numbers (second only to agriculture) have been affected by the lack of funding for development and shrinking tourist market. The conflict has changed the sex ratio; male deaths mean that increasing numbers of women are now involved in crafts. Being home based crafts are considered safe in this conflict torn region. Yet the shrinking markets push an increasing number of people below th