Context:
Uttar Pradesh, known for its rich cultural heritage and traditional crafts, has recently seen seven of its distinctive products being granted Geographical Indication (GI) tags by the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai.
Relevance:
GS III: Indian Economy
Dimensions of the Article:
- Seven Products from Uttar Pradesh with GI Tag
- Geographical Indications (GI) Tag
Seven Products from Uttar Pradesh with GI Tag:
Amroha Dholak: A Musical Marvel
- Crafted from natural wood, such as mango, jackfruit, and teakwood.
- Uses animal skin, typically goatskin, for the drum’s surface.
Baghpat Home Furnishings:
- Renowned handloom home furnishing products from Baghpat and Meerut.
- Made using cotton yarn and predominantly woven on frame looms.
Barabanki Handloom Product:
- Barabanki and its surrounding areas have a significant number of weavers and looms.
- The annual turnover of the Barabanki cluster is estimated to be ₹150 crore.
Kalpi Handmade Paper:
- Kalpi is known for its handmade paper manufacturing.
- Munnalal ‘Khaddari’ introduced the craft in the 1940s.
Mahoba Gaura Patthar Hastashlip:
- Represents the unique stone craft of Mahoba using the ‘Pyro Flight Stone.’
- The stone is soft, radiant white, and predominantly found in the region.
Mainpuri Tarkashi:
- Mainpuri Tarkashi is known for brass wire inlay work on wood.
- Traditionally used for khadaous (wooden sandals) and sought as a leather alternative.
Sambhal Horn Craft:
- Sambhal Horn Craft utilizes raw materials obtained from deceased animals.
- The craft form is entirely handmade.
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: Indian Express
