Context

• The Union government has granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag to 9 products from across the country, including the Gamosa of Assam; Alibag White Onion from Maharashtra; Ladakh Raktsey Karpo Apricot; and Attappady Aattukombu Avara, among others.

• Of the 9 GI tags given, five were for products from Kerala. With this, the total number of registered GI products in India stands at 432.

• The top five states holding the maximum number of GIs are Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala. Of these, 401 are Indian-origin products, 31 foreign-origin.

• Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are states with the highest number of GI tags, followed by Kerala (35), Uttar Pradesh (34), and Maharashtra (31).

About the GI Tags

Gamosa of Assam

• Granted to the Directorate of Handloom & Textiles, Guwahati.
• This is a traditional textile having great significance for the people of Assam.

  

• In all rituals related to puja and ‘nam prasang’, Gamosa is wrapped around the neck by both men and women.
• Men use Gamosa as headgear while working in the paddy field or in a kitchen garden.
• And during Bihu, the young offer Gamosa to elders as a mark of respect.

• The Alibag White Onion, a traditional variety of white onion in Alibag tehsil of Raigad district in Maharashtra, was also given a tag.
• This particular onion does not have a strong odour like the standard onion commonly available in the market.
• It has a sweet taste, different from other onions.

Tandur Redgram

• The Tandur Redgram, which was also awarded a GI tag, is a traditional crop in the rain-fed tract of the Telangana region.
• It contains about 22-24% protein, which is almost three times that of cereals.
• Ladakh Raktsey Karpo Apricot has a unique seed.
• The world over, apricot fruits have brown seed stones.
• However, the seeds of Raktsey Karpo fruit have white seed stones.

Attappady Thuvara

• The Attappady Thuvara is an important traditional crop of the Attappady tribal area in Palakkad district, Kerala.
• It is a woody shrub, generally grown as an annual crop.
• The Kerala government has formulated a special scheme for Attappady under the Attappady Millet Village programme to conserve the traditional crops of the area for securing the livelihood of tribal people.

Kanthalloor Vattavada Veluthulli

• Kanthalloor Vattavada Veluthulli (garlic) was also among the products which bagged the tag.
• The major areas of cultivation are Kanthalloor and Vattavada panchayats.
• Traditional garlic grown in these areas is known for its unique flavour, pungency, taste, medicinal properties and longer shelf life compared to garlic from other regions.
• Two main local types of garlic grown in Kanthalloor and Vattavada region are Sigappuppoondu (sometimes called Singapoondu) and Malaippoondu.

Kodungallur Pottuvellari

• Kodungallur Pottuvellari (Kodungallur snap melon), cultivated for its fully matured fruit which is used for making juice, was also granted a tag.
• In some States, it is used as a vegetable.
• In summer, Pottuvellari juice stalls are a common sight on the road in Kodungallur, Thrissur, Paravur and Ernakulam.

Onattukara Ellu (Sesame)

• Onattukara Ellu and its oil are famous for its unique health benefits.
• Relativelyhigher antioxidant contentin Onattukara Ellu helps in fighting the free radicals, which destroy the body cells.
• Also, the high content of unsaturated fatmakes it beneficial for heart patients.

Raktsey Karpo apricot

• Ladakh got its first ever Geographical Indication (GI).
• This coveted GI tag certification is given for twenty years.
• The apricot was registered recently in the GI tag lists, along with the nine other items.
• The Raktsey Karpo variety is unique to the region of Ladakh, although more than thirty types of apricots are being grown there.
• Some claim this apricot, exclusive to Ladakh, is unmatched in sweetness and color.
• A significant fruit with large cultivation in both the Leh and Kargil Districts.
• Additionally, apricots are being promoted as One District One Product for Kargil.
• It is distributed widely throughout Ladakh, with particular abundance in Sham regions (lower Ladakh), which include Dha-Hanu, Garkhon, Skurbuchan, Domkhar, Wanla, Khaltse, and Timosgang, as well as in Kargil.

Attappady Aattukombu Avara

• Cultivated by tribal farmers, and Onattukara Ellu, which is one of the ancient and traditional annual oilseed crops cultivated in Onattukara region of Kerala, have also been given tags.

Source: TH & Business Standard

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