GI tag for Arunachal Yak Churpi

Context:

Arunachal Pradesh has recently received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Arunachal Yak Churpi, Khaw Tai (Khamti rice), and Tangsa textile.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Unique Characteristics of Arunachal Yak Churpi
2. Distinctive Features of Khaw Tai (Khamti Rice)
3. Special Characteristics of Tangsa Textile
4. Geographical Indications (GI) Tag

Unique Characteristics of Arunachal Yak Churpi:

• Origin: Arunachal Yak Churpi is derived from the milk of the Arunachali yak, a rare breed primarily found in West Kameng and Tawang districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Tribal Yak Pastoralists: The milk is obtained from yaks reared by the Brokpas, a tribal community known for their expertise in yak husbandry.
• Seasonal Migration: These pastoralists practice seasonal migration with their yaks, taking them to higher altitudes during summers and descending to mid-altitude mountainous regions in winters, as yaks cannot survive at lower altitudes during summer.
• Health Benefits and Usage: Churpi is rich in proteins and serves as a vital source of nutrition in the vegetation-scarce, cold, and hilly mountainous regions of Arunachal Pradesh.

Distinctive Features of Khaw Tai (Khamti Rice):

• Origin: Khaw Tai, a chewy sticky rice variety, originates from the Namsai region and is cultivated by traditional Khampti tribal farmers.

Special Characteristics of Tangsa Textile:

• Craftsmanship: Tangsa Textile products are crafted by the Tangsa tribe of Changlang district, known for their exotic designs and vibrant colors.
• Cultural Richness: These traditional textiles reflect the cultural richness of the region and carry the artistic expressions of the Tangsa tribe.

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.