Handwoven Pashmina Shawls of Kashmir Accredited With the Geographical Indication Mark

The handwoven Pashmina shawls of Kashmir were accredited with the Geographical Indication (GI) mark. The Chief Minister of Kashmir Omar Abdullah, on 5 August 2013 launched the Kashmir Pashmina GI mark, which will now be imprinted on all handwoven Kashmiri Pashmina Shawls, in the form of label.

This GI Mark will be imprinted at Testing and Quality Certification Centre. The Centre was inaugurated on 5 August 2013 by Omar Abdullah at Craft Development Centre. The GI Mark labels will be attached to Kashmiri Pashmina shawl after it has been tested on weaving technology, spinning method, originality of fabric as well as fineness of thread. The mark of Kashmir Pashmina will also provide details of the manufacturer as well as quality of shawl. The label will also carry a number, which will be verifiable from official website.

This move will help in restoring the handicrafts of Kashmir. It will also help in economic prosperity of the artisans. At the same time, it will also help in removing the fake handicrafts sold in the name of Kashmir. As an initial action, fake Pashmina shawls would be replaced by Kashmir patent hand woven original Pashmina shawls. In order to stop fake as well as unscrupulous trade in handicrafts sector, the testing lab at Craft Development Institute (CDI) at Nowshera will be used.

The Government of Kashmir has already achieved the GI for six handicrafts, which will have same testing facilities.

What is Geographical Indication (GI)?

• Geographical Indication of any good is defined as aspect of the industrial property that refers to geographical indication referring to any country or a particular place situated therein.
• It is basically a sign or a name which is used on certain products which relate specifically to a geographical location or the origin, which can be a town, region or the country.
• Using GI can act as the certification of the product and that it holds certain qualities and enjoys certain reputation because of its geographical origin.
• India, which is also a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 and it came into force from 15 September 2003.

Other products that received GI Registeration can be found here.