Weeds into papier-mache

In Srinagar, artisan Simran Irshad is feeding aquatic weeds pulled from Dal Lake into papier-mache, one of Kashmir's best-known art forms.

A famous lake, choked

Dal Lake draws visitors for its floating gardens and houseboats under the Himalayas. George Harrison stayed on one in 1966. It also chokes on weed growth that authorities keep clearing.

Paper priced her out

Irshad, 35, started experimenting when the cost of paper made traditional papier-mache too expensive to keep making the old way.

A craft with Persian roots

Kashmiri papier-mache means brightly painted boxes, trays and ornaments covered in floral, bird and paisley motifs. Its Christmas ornaments ship worldwide.

Months of trial and error

She landed on dried, pulverised weeds mixed with recycled paper pulp and a binding agent. She collects the weeds by boat, then dries and processes them at her workshop.

“For the past 100 years this craft has been done this way, using only paper.”

Why lake weeds won

Irshad tested several kinds of vegetation before settling on the lake weeds. Their higher moisture content made them the best fit for the pulp.

Cheaper, tougher, no trees

The weed mix raises output, hardens the finished pieces and cuts costs. It also spares the trees that ordinary paper comes from.

“What I am removing from the lake is like a treasure given to me by God.”

Fifteen women, room for more

She has trained around 50 women in paper products, with 15 now working on the weed-based craft. Expanding to employ more will take outside support.