‘Kashmir Pashmina’ has been designated a Geographical indication pursuant to an application by the Craft Development Institute, established by the Office of Development Commissioner – Handicraft, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and the Department of I&C (Directorate of Handicrafts), Government of Jammu & Kashmir.
The application filed for ‘Kashmir Pashmina’ was heard in May 2006 at the Intellectual Property Office, Delhi by a committee of experts from diverse sectors of industries, including the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks. The following aspects have been identified in according protection to‘Kashmir Pashmina’ as a geographical indication:
1. It is a fabric;
2. It is made from fine woolen fibers of the mountain goat Capra Hiracus, of 12-16 microns, but not below 18 microns;
3. The wool is obtained from the undergrowth of goat;
4. Such fibers are cleaned using rice flour paste;
5. It is cleaned, spun and woven by craftsmen located in the State of Jammu & Kashmir;
The eight- step process of production, which transforms the Pashm into Pashmina includes a unique practice by which the design instruction is in the form of a poem which is recited by the head of the family of the craftsperson in a language unique to the family and the executors of the pattern sit behind the loom and follow the verbal instructions to create a pattern that is unknown to them until its conclusion.
