Clay Industry And Business of Sindh Facing Problems
Clay Industry And Business of Sindh Facing Problems: Industry and business related to pottery tradition in Sindh are under threat because of increasing water scarcity, land degradation, and salinity.
Entire business chain is affected because Potters cannot find the most important component, good clay, around them. Most of the once accessible free clay dunes located everywhere, have become precious for them.
It was shared by the potters that only a few clay dunes exist in the province, from where one can get the raw material after paying a huge cost.
Increasing pollution of ponds is the reason behind fast vanishing clay dunes, which were the sources of getting raw material for work.
The potters after paying cost of truckload of clay have to buy other items used in the process, especially wheat straw, wood powder, and vegetation waste for burning.
Despite the increasing manufacturing cost, products have lost their value in markets. At workshops, a person can make around 40-45 items daily, depending on the availability of raw material and environment. Though the wages are not satisfactory, they have passion to continue their ancestral work.
Potters consider the plastic industry a bother, as many traditional ceramic items have been replaced by those made in plastic, despite the former being better for health.
Potters and Artisan Demands
The survival of this traditional industry and its craftsmen will be difficult without a specific plan and packages from the federal and provincial government. Clay products are a part of the collective culture and heritage, and must be preserved.
The vanishing clay dunes must be declared safe for this particular industry, which has employed around one million workers at different levels.
The government must put a ban on the use of one time plastics, disposable plastic containers and cutlery, and straws which creates tons of waste every day. Instead, bio degradable organic plates, cups and containers made of leaves, clay, or paper can be introduced.
The authorities must act now to develop and implement effective policies and take measures to mitigate the disaster situation in Karachi, to protect clay industry and business, which is the combined result of climate change and bad governance.
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