It’s just not the cricketers who are building hopes and aspirations for the cricket world cup but cricket bat manufactures in Jammu and Kashmir are also looking forward to a brisk business, catering to the heavy demand of bats by cricketers from around the world.

Kashmir willow is known around the world and is second only to the famous English willow. It is much sought after by leading batsmen in India, the Caribbean islands, Australia Africa and England. The fine quality cricket bats manufactured in Kashmir are exported and also supplied to the domestic market of the country, the cricket bat manufacturers in Jammu and Kashmir are working overtime to meet the demand that is expected to grow manifold as the World Cup cricket fever catches up.

According to Khursheed Ahmed, General Manager, Industrial Estate in Anantnag, the bat industry is providing employment to thousands of people. The government on its part had also recently opened a facility counter, which is under construction and the government has sanctioned rupees five crores for development and export facilities.

At present an estimated 10,000 persons are directly or indirectly associated with over manufacturing units here in Kashmir.

In 1998, in an initiative for the promotion of this trade within Kashmir, the State government enforced a law which has provision for stringent punishment for willow smugglers who are caught illegally taking willow outside the valley.