Srinagar, Sept. 24 -- - The Kashmir Valley has witnessed a sharp decline in cocoon production meant for silk fabric used in shawls, carpets, embroidery curtains and other local handlooms products, data available with Kashmir Observer suggests.

Kashmir is known for the best quality silk, exported all over the world. Over 27000 families in Jammu and Kashmir are associated with silk worm rearing, out of which 8,900 families are from the Valley and rest from Jammu division.

According to official figures, the Valley produced 893 metric tons (MT) of cocoons in the year 2017-2018 generating an income of about Rs 22.337 crore for these silkworm rearers. In the following fiscal year, the cocoon production went down by 101 metric tons generating ...