Shikaras in troubled waters
Owner struggle to make ends meet
While Shikaras represent pristine beauty of Kashmir on magazine covers, tourist guides and picture postcards, their owners struggle to make ends meet.
“For a Shakara waala, it’s very hard to make his ends meet, especially during winters when the influx of tourists is at its lowest,” said Ghulam Muhammad (70), a Shikara owner from Abi- Nowpora.“We start our day at 10 in the morning and wait for a customer. Sometimes even days go by without earning anything. We can hardly earn two square meals a day,” he said.
Ghulam Muhammad’s sons don’t want to be Shikara rowers like their father due to less income.
As per the government prescribed rates, one hour Shikara ride has been fixed at Rs 500. But during slack season, the Shikara owners give ride to tourists at as low as Rs 150 an hour.
A Shikara waala makes up to Rs 25000 a month when tourists come in hordes during summers but it can also get as low as Rs 3000 to Rs 4500 a month during winter months.
The floods of September 2014 have hit their business very badly.
“It did not only damage our boats but also resulted in bad publicity which brought down the influx of tourists,” said another Shikara owner.
“We were the first to rescue people during floods. We risked our lives to help people and at the cost of our boats which were damaged. Government didn’t do anything to compensate our loses,” said another Shikara owner.
Another Shikara owner Abdul Majeed’s life is itself a tale of the fluctuating fortunes of the tourist industry.
Presently, a shikara owner and manager of a Ghat, he used to work as a tourist guide earlier, accompanying tourists on treks.
“In 1990’s, when tourists refrained from coming to Kashmir, I had to work as a driver and then as a carpenter,” he said.
For the past 8 to 9 years, he has been rowing shikara but is not satisfied with his earnings.
“In summer, I earn Rs 700 to Rs 800 a day but in winters I only make Rs Rs 200 to Rs 300.”
Abdul Majeed (49) said he has three children and is not providing for them properly.
“Whatever I earn by rowing Shikara, it is not enough to cater to the needs of my family.”
Shikara waalas mostly bank on tourist rush to Valley and don’t get much business from the locals.
“Government had promised us a 90 day compensation of Rs 90000 but the promise was never fulfilled,” said Abdul Majeed. “I hope government comes to our rescue.”
