The H.P State Handloom & Handicrafts Weavers Apex Co-operative Society Ltd. (HIMBUNKAR) came into being in the year 1984. The main objective of this organization is to provide a forum to artisans of Handicrafts & Handloom primary co-operative societies in the state. HIMBUNKAR also aims at keeping the traditions in line with the latest market trends. At present 253 primary co-operative societies organised by the artisans, craftpersons and weavers spread all across the state of Himachal Pradesh, mostly situated in rural areas, are its members. 89 of these primary societies are organized and managed purely by women.

The field of handloom and handicrafts in Himachal Pradesh is quite vast. The constituent societies of HIMBUNKAR are engaged in manufacturing ladies and gents shawls (woollen, angora & pashmina), mufflers, stoles, jackets, long cloth, patti, tweeds and elegant ready-to-wear garments, classic Tibetan carpets, leather sandals and shoes with typical embroidery on velvet, chamba handkerchiefs, jute items, pottery, woodcrafts, metal crafts and ornaments in traditional designs.

HIMBUNKAR, facilitates the member societies by providing raw material, improved designs, modernized tools & appliances, technical know-how and the trends & techniques in vogue as well as through undertaking marketing of their Handloom and Handicrafts products through its retail shops/ mobile van and by participating in various national and state level exhibitions and fairs. HIMBUNKAR also organizes exhibitions within and outside the state on its own.

Apart from these activities, HIMBUNKAR has also been implementing training and employment generation programmes for the artisans, especially women, in order to upgrade their skill and in helping them earn a better livelihood.

HIMBUNKAR is continuously trying to manufacture eco-friendly products. HIMBUNKAR is proud of not using child labour. Acting as a charioteer to the artisans of the state, HIMBUNKAR ensures work for every hand and thus has helped restoring the artisans' pride in their work, recognized their genius and given them a viable and honoured future.