<link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Ccharu%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"> Legal Protection of Geographical Indications in Jammu and Kashmir─A Case Study of Kashmiri Handicrafts

220-227 The location of the State of Jammu and Kashmir represents a confluence where East, West, Central and South Asia meet which has provided an opportunity for the convergence of Hellenistic, Sinic, Iranian and Indian thought and culture. The geographical location of the valley of Kashmir has made it an ideal location for handicrafts because local people prefer to stay indoors due to long winters. This paper discusses different geographical indications which could be considered for registration in the light of statistical figures of revenue generated by such handicrafts. It also discusses lack of adequate governmental support to mobilize local human resource to take up handicrafts on professional lines for self employment which could ease the burden on the government resources to provide jobs to educated youth which is a perennial problem for the State of Jammu and Kashmir due to the lack of investment by the corporate sector and income generating units in the State. The paper points out some loopholes in the GI Act which could impede registration of geographical indications or could unjustly help traders of geographical indications to exploit ignorance of its true owners. It has been also argued that the traditional knowledge relating to handicrafts which is left un-protected should be protected by some sui generis system to suit the needs of the local craftsmen.