Machine-made imitations threaten Kashmiri handicrafts, Government promises action
Srinagar, Sep 13: Kashmir’s centuries-old handicraft sector, battling the onslaught of counterfeits and machine-made imitations, found renewed hope on Saturday as Director Handicrafts Mussarat Islam assured stakeholders of strict enforcement measures to safeguard authenticity and protect artisans’ livelihoods.
Speaking at a seminar titled “Safeguarding Handicrafts & Golden Hands of Kashmir – Authenticity Matters: Protecting the Pride of Kashmir” in Srinagar, Mussarat Islam said that “there will be no space for counterfeit sales in Kashmir’s markets.”
He stressed that the government was committed to securing the Valley’s craft heritage, strengthening authenticity frameworks, and ensuring that Kashmiri products retain their rightful place in global markets.
The director also highlighted a series of welfare and promotional schemes aimed at supporting grassroots artisans. “Our departmental teams are working hand in hand with stakeholders to make sure the benefits reach the people who need them most — the artisans at the ground level,” he said.
The seminar, jointly organised by Sheikh Ashiq, COA Member of the Carpet Export Promotion Council and Indian Silk Export Promotion Council, along with Meeras Carpet Weavers Industrial Co-operative Limited, Kashmir Carpet Cluster Development Organisation, Kashmir Carpet Manufacturers Association, Tahafuz and Viraasat, drew national award-winning artisans, exporters, policymakers, and cultural figures — a rare show of unity for the preservation of Kashmir’s creative economy.
Several speakers raised concerns about the alarming rise of machine-made and imported carpets being falsely marketed as Kashmiri crafts. Sheikh Ashiq underlined the role of the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, noting that “since the introduction of the GI certification, no handmade carpet has been exported without it. This is non-negotiable for protecting authenticity.”
Cultural historian and poet Zareef Ahmad Zareef described handicrafts as “a living part of Kashmir’s identity,” while Mushtaq Ahmad, consultant for VIRASAT, pressed for blacklisting firms engaged in counterfeiting. Parvez Ahmad Bhat, President of the Kashmir Handicraft Alliance, called for urgent enforcement of existing laws, and Abdul Majeed, Chairman of Viraasat, demanded “zero tolerance against fake and machine-made products.”
Adding institutional weight, Director IICT Mir Zubair emphasised the importance of innovation anchored in tradition to keep Kashmiri crafts competitive globally.
Bilal Ahmad Kawoosa acknowledged recent departmental measures against counterfeiting but urged sustained vigilance and stricter enforcement.
Officials highlighted ongoing steps such as stricter labelling, intensified monitoring drives, and blacklisting of firms involved in fake trade. However, participants cautioned that without faster implementation, the damage to artisan livelihoods and Kashmir’s cultural reputation could become irreversible.
The seminar concluded with a unified commitment to strengthen GI certification systems, expand awareness campaigns, and empower artisan communities. Organisers announced that the “Authenticity Matters” campaign will continue through future seminars and outreach drives, ensuring that Kashmiri handicrafts — and the artisans behind them — are protected for generations to come.
