Context:
Seven distinct products from Odisha, including the Similipal Kai chutney featuring red weaver ants and the intricately embroidered Kapdaganda shawl, have been honored with the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag. This recognition underscores the unique and exclusive nature of these products, firmly associating them with the cultural and geographical identity of Odisha.
Relevance:
GS III: Indian Economy
Dimensions of the Article:
- Seven Odisha Products Obtain Geographical Indication (GI) Tag
- Geographical Indications (GI) Tag
Seven Odisha Products Obtain Geographical Indication (GI) Tag
Seven products from Odisha have been granted the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag, signifying their distinctiveness to the state. Here are details about each product:
Kapdaganda Shawl:
- Woven and embroidered by Dongria Kondh tribe women, reflecting the rich tribal heritage.
- Dongaria Kondh is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in the Niyamgiri hills.
Lanjia Saura Painting:
- Also known as Idital, one of the oldest tribal art forms.
- Famous for beauty, aesthetics, ritualistic association, and iconography.
- Belongs to the Lanjia Saura community, a PVTG in Rayagada district.
Koraput Kala Jeera Rice:
- Black-colored rice variety, known as the ‘Prince of Rice,’ valued for aroma, taste, texture, and nutrition.
- Preserved by tribal farmers in Koraput for around 1,000 years.
Similipal Kai Chutney:
- Traditional delicacy made with red weaver ants, found in Mayurbhanj forests, including Similipal, Asia’s second-largest biosphere.
Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal:
- Known for prickly thorns on stems, resistant to major insects.
Odisha Khajuri Guda:
- Jaggery extracted from date palm trees in Gajapati district, traditionally prepared in a trapezoidal form called ‘Patali Gur.’
Dhenkanal Magji:
- A sweet made from buffalo milk cheese, distinguished by appearance, taste, flavor, shape, size, and unique nutritional values.
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.
