Onlykashmir.in News Desk
The Geographical Indication (GI) tag is giving fresh momentum to Kashmir’s traditional shawl industry, with international tourists showing growing interest in authentic handicrafts, particularly the Valley’s celebrated Kani and Pashmina shawls.
The renewed interest was on display in Anantnag, where a tourist from the United States, after visiting the popular hill destination of Pahalgam, went on to explore Kashmir’s traditional handicrafts and purchased an old-style Kashmiri shawl. Speaking to DD News, she said she was drawn to Kashmir’s handicrafts, especially its traditional shawls, and credited the GI tag with giving international visitors greater confidence to purchase what they can now be assured are authentic Kashmiri products rather than imitations. She described the GI certification as a factor that actively brings visitors like her to Kashmir specifically to shop for genuine handicrafts.
Artisans and shawl manufacturers in Anantnag said the GI certification has been instrumental in showcasing Kashmir’s centuries-old craftsmanship to a global audience, while also protecting the authenticity and reputation of Kani and Pashmina shawls against cheaper, machine-made imitations that have periodically undercut the market for genuine handwoven pieces.
The endorsement from an international buyer underscores what industry figures in Kashmir have long argued: that GI certification does more than offer legal protection against counterfeiting, it actively shapes purchasing decisions among tourists who might otherwise be uncertain about a product’s authenticity. For a craft sector that supports thousands of artisan families across the Valley, sustained international demand tied to verified authenticity could offer a meaningful boost as Kashmir’s tourism economy continues to recover.
