Uttarkashi’s Dunda Bazaar to be developed as wool market

UTTARKASHI: Dunda Bazaar in Uttarkashi's Dunda block is set to be developed as a dedicated wool market, an initiative aimed at providing an organised platform for traditional woollen products made by the Jad and Bhotia communities.Block chief Rajdeep Parmar has begun consultations with local traders and public representatives to take the proposal forward. The plan includes setting up permanent shops, exhibition spaces and branding facilities in the market so that locally made products can reach customers directly. For generations, members of the Jad-Bhotia community in Harshil-Bagori area of the Gangotri valley have been engaged in wool weaving. In high-altitude villages, women spin and weave wool from sheep and goat rearing on traditional looms. Shawls, thulmas, caps, mufflers, jackets and other winter garments are produced using natural dyes and local designs.Parmar said the lack of a structured market has forced artisans to depend on middlemen. "Wool is often bought from locals at Rs 70 per kg and later sold back at much higher prices. If a local wool market is developed, the entire value chain can remain here and provide employment to local people," he said.Artisans have expressed that without direct access to markets, they rarely receive fair compensation for their work. Bhagirathi Negi, a local weaver, said, "Our craft gained attention when traditional woollen garments designed by Jad-Bhotia artisans were presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi." Continued support from the govt and administration could help the craft reach national and international markets, she said. Parmar said the proposed wool market would give local products a permanent platform, ensure fair prices for weavers and create self-employment opportunities for youth, while helping preserve traditional skills.Local women, including Sumitra and Kailashi, said that if market linkages improved, they would organise themselves into self-help groups to scale up production.