Kashmir’s Houseboats | A Living Heritage at the Edge of Survival | Outlook India

The story of Kashmir’s houseboats begins in the late 19th century, and it is shaped by colonial presence and local craftsmanship. It was only by the mid-20th century that they became one of the main attractions for tourists while visiting Srinagar city in Kashmir. The traditional houseboat makers, popularly known as “Naav Chaan” (boat carpenters) are distinct from regular carpenters, as their work requires specialised skills and techniques, which are unique to houseboat construction.

For generations, these craftsmen have transformed the logs of cedar wood into intricately carved floating homes that have fascinated tourists for over a century and have become a symbol of culture and hospitality.

By the second half of the 20th century, it was realised by the administration that the growing number of houseboats was endangering the fragile ecosystem of Dal Lake. Therefore, in 1978, during Sheikh Abdullah’s government, a cabinet decision was made to restrict the number of houseboats and ban new constructions, but allowed repairs to existing ones. A decade later, in 1988, Farooq Abdullah’s government imposed stricter rules and put a complete ban on repairs and renovations as well.

The ban on the construction and subsequent restrictions on the repairing of the boats have had a severe impact on craftsmen. *It was a great relief to the houseboat owners when, in 2023, the J&K High Court allowed them to repair or reconstruct their boats. However, obtaining permission involves extensive paperwork and a lengthy administrative process, which often slows down the work for craftsmen.

With dwindling demand, their numbers have declined significantly, and many have moved to other occupations. The younger generations have turned away from the craft for various reasons. Firstly, it requires years of hard work and training to master the craft, with little financial motivation, and the decline in demand due to these restrictions has left only a handful of master craftsmen to carry the tradition forward.

Watch the video to know the full story of houseboat owners.

Reporter/Camera: Yasir Iqbal
Editor: Sudhanshu

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