Context:
Recently, the delicious Ishad mango from Uttara Kannada (Karnataka) has earned its much-awaited geological indicator (GI) tag.
Relevance:
GS III: Indian Economy
Dimensions of the Article:
- About Ishad mango
- Geographical Indications (GI) Tag
About Ishad Mango:
- Ishad mango is a variety of mango grown primarily in the Ankola region.
- This mango is known for its delicious taste and abundance of pulp.
- It has been cultivated for approximately 400 years.
- There are two variants of Ishad mango: Kari Ishad and Bili Ishad.
- Kari Ishad has a thin skin, more pulp, and is sweeter in taste.
- Bili Ishad, on the other hand, has a thicker skin, less pulp, and sweetness.
- Kari Ishad is widely recognized as one of the finest mango varieties due to its unique aroma, delectable flavor, ample pulp, and appealing shape and size.
Geographical Indications (GI) Tag
Definition and Importance:
- Geographical Indications of Goods indicate the country or place of origin of a product.
- They assure consumers of the product’s quality and distinctiveness derived from its specific geographical locality.
- GI tags are an essential component of intellectual property rights (IPRs) and are protected under international agreements like the Paris Convention and TRIPS.
Administration and Registration:
- Geographical Indications registration in India is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
- The registration and protection are administered by the Geographical Indication Registry under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade (DIPIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- The registration is valid for 10 years, and it can be renewed for further periods of 10 years each.
Significance and Examples:
- GI tags provide a unique identity and reputation to products based on their geographical origin.
- The first product in India to receive a GI tag was Darjeeling tea.
- Karnataka has the highest number of GI tags with 47 registered products, followed by Tamil Nadu with 39.
Ownership and Proprietorship:
- Any association, organization, or authority established by law can be a registered proprietor of a GI tag.
- The registered proprietor’s name is entered in the Register of Geographical Indication for the applied product.
- Protection and Enforcement:
- Geographical Indications protect the interests of producers and prevent unauthorized use of the product’s name or origin.
- Enforcement of GI rights helps maintain the quality and reputation of the products associated with their specific geographical regions.
Location of the Geographical Indications Registry:
- The Geographical Indications Registry is located in Chennai, India.
-Source: Times of India
