Srinagar (PTI): In a major step to check sale of fake pashmina shawls, the central government has awarded it a patent recognising the Kashmiri origin of the immensely popular traditional handloom.

Under the Geographical Indications (GI) of goods patent, Kashmiri pashmina shawl will now have its own distinctive logo, officials said.

The patent came after an agreement among Kashmir Handmade Pashmina Promotion Trust (KHPPT), Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Crafts Development Institute (CDI) and the Tahafuz, a society of diverse Kashmiri handicraft artisans - on September 12 actively brokered by the Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh, they said.

The Kashmiri pashmina GI would be registered in the Clauses 23 (yarns and thread for textile use) and 24 (textiles and textiles goods, not included in the category of bed, tablecovers and clothing.