{
  "id": 7554870,
  "title": "Weeds to wonders: Kashmiri artisan calls Dal Lake waste a God‑given treasure",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/weeds-to-wonders-kashmiri-artisan-calls-dal-lake-waste-a-god-given",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-15T13:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2026/09/15/weeds-to-wonders-kashmiri-artisan-calls-dal-lake-waste-a-godgiven-treasure/235316"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "SRINAGAR, September 15 — In an innovative approach to traditional Kashmiri craft, an artisan named Simran Irshad is transforming weeds plucked from the iconic Dal Lake into a sustainable component for the age-old art of papier-mache. Renowned for its floating gardens and houseboats, Dal Lake is a picturesque destination that attracted notable visitors like Beatles guitarist George Harrison in 1966. However, the lake has battled an influx of aquatic weeds, which are routinely removed by Indian authorities to maintain water clarity. Irshad, 35, ventured into experimenting with these weeds due to the soaring costs of paper, a staple in traditional papier-mache production. This craft, rooted in Persian techniques, produces brightly painted boxes, trays, and ornaments adorned with detailed floral, bird, and paisley designs, as well as popular Christmas ornaments shipped globally. 'A God-given treasure' Having identified a cost-effective, locally sourced alternative, Irshad meticulously crafted a method that employs dried and ground weeds blended with recycled paper pulp and a binding agent. She explained to AFP that while papier-mache has traditionally relied solely on paper, incorporating lake weeds could enhance production capacity, durability, and affordability. After several months of experimentation, Irshad determined that the lake's weeds, noted for their elevated moisture content, were ideal for this purpose. Reflecting on the ecological significance, Irshad expressed deep gratitude, stating that the weeds are akin to a divine gift from the lake. Through her workshop, Irshad has trained approximately 50 women in the weed-based papier-mache technique, with 15 currently actively engaged in the craft. Despite her success, Irshad acknowledged the need for further assistance to scale up the initiative and create additional employment opportunities for women.",
  "summary": "SRINAGAR, Sept 15 — A Kashmiri artisan is turning weeds pulled from Srinagar’s famous Dal Lake into a new in...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}