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Kashmir's cricket bat industry faces willow shortage crisis

Salahuddin Zain | Ab Rauoof Ganie
June 19, 2026

Willow trees are the backbone of Kashmir's famed cricket bat industry. But the shrinking supplies of willow wood are putting livelihoods and manufacturing units in the valley at risk.

https://p.dw.com/p/5FiGf

Cricket is the most popular sport in India and cricket bats are an essential part of the sport.

Kashmiri willow bats are known for their quality. Around 3 million bats are produced in the valley every year and supplied worldwide.

It is regarded as the key manufacturing industry in the region. 

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