GI tag for Arunachal Yak Churpi

Context:

Recently, the Jaderi namakatti was given the GI tag by the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About Jaderi namakatti:
2. Geographical Indications (GI) Tag

Jaderi Namakatti: A Traditional Clay Craft

• Appearance: Jaderi namakatti is a type of clay stick that is white in color, typically shaped like fingers with a smooth texture.
• Origin: Jaderi is a small village located in the Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu, India.
• Traditional Craft: In Cheyyar taluk, approximately 120 families have been engaged in the production of namakatti for several centuries, making it their primary occupation.
• Raw Material: Namakatti is crafted from a rich deposit of hydrous silicate minerals, which results in fine-grain clay particles.
• Production Process: The clay is processed and molded into a finger-like shape, characteristic of namakatti.
• Climate-Dependent: The production of namakatti is influenced by climatic conditions, particularly the need for abundant sunlight for the drying process.
• Usages: Namakatti is used for various purposes, including adorning the foreheads of idols, men, and temple elephants. Traditionally, it has also been used to treat stretch marks caused by childbirth. This traditional craft is deeply rooted in the culture and heritage of the region.

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.