Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN)- based Geographical Indication(GI) Registry has awarded the GI tag to 12 distinctive products from Arunachal Pradesh including Apatani Textile Product, Dao (broadsword), Adlay Millet, among others.
Note: With this, the total number of GI products from Arunachal Pradesh has become 20.
Newly added 12 GI-certified Products:
| S.No. | Geographical Indications | Goods |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Arunachal Pradesh Apatani Textile Products | Textiles |
| 2. | Arunachal Pradesh Monpa Textile Products | Textiles |
| 3. | Arunachal Pradesh Nyishi Textile Products | Textiles |
| 4. | Arunachal Pradesh Galo Textile Products | Textiles |
| 5. | Arunachal Pradesh Adi Textile Products | Textiles |
| 6. | Arunachal Pradesh Tai Khamti Handloom Textile | Textiles |
| 7. | Arunachal Pradesh Monpa Handmade Paper | Handi Crafts |
| 8. | Arunachal Pradesh Dao (Sward) | Manufactured Goods |
| 9. | Arunachal Pradesh Marua Apo (Marua Millet Beverage) | Manufactured Goods |
| 10. | Arunachal Pradesh Adi Apong (Beverage) | Manufactured Goods |
| 11. | Arunachal Pradesh Angnyat/ Adlay/ Tanyak Millet | Agriculture |
| 12. | Arunachal Pradesh Khelap / Phalap/ Felap Tea (Bamboo Processed Tea) | Agriculture |
Key Points:
i.The Apatani Textile Products are weaved by the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. They live at Ziro, the headquarters of the lower Subansiri district.
- It is known for its geometric, and zigzag patterns and its angular designs.
ii.The art of making Monpa handmade paper originated over 1000 years ago and is used for writing Buddhist scriptures and hymns in monasteries.
- The Monpa handmade paper will be made from the bark of a local tree called Shugu Sheng, which has medicinal values too.
iii.Galo Textile is a traditional handloom textile of the Galo tribe, who primarily reside in the West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
iv.The Khelap/Phalap tea is a dark, smoky, and aromatic tea that has been brewed since the 13th century by the Singpho tribes of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
- The tea leaves were fried and dried under the sun to extract the optimum flavour and then smoked in cylinders of bamboo to induce piquancy in the tea.
v.Apong (as called by the Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh) is a local beer that is made from fermented rice.
vi.The Angnyat is one of the lesser-known indigenous millet varieties grown by the indigenous Adi community. It is also known as adlay or anyat.
vii.Marua Apo is a traditional millet-based alcoholic beverage from Arunachal Pradesh.
viii.Tai Khamti is a traditional textile of the Khamptis, an indigenous tribe in Arunachal Pradesh.
Significance:
i.These products reflect the rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship of the region and also mark a significant step towards promoting sustainable economic growth.
ii.These products encapsulate the unique traditions, skills, and natural resources of Arunachal Pradesh.
iii.It also aims to boost local livelihoods and preserve indigenous traditions.
About GI tag:
i.GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin or location, linking its qualities or reputation directly to that origin.
- It is a type of intellectual property right (IPR) that identifies the geographical origin of a product.
ii.Under Articles 1 (2) and 10 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, GIs are covered as an element of IPRs.
- GI is also defined in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and in the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and GIs.
iii.India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the GIs of Goods (Registration & Protection)Act, 1999 with effect from 15th September 2003.
- This Act aims to provide for the registration and protection of GIs relating to goods in India.
- It also protects the rich heritage and the unique products linked to specific geographic locations.
iv.This Act is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks, who is the Registrar of Geographical Indications.
Note: Darjeeling Tea was the first product to be registered in India as GI tag in 2004 and the registration is valid up to 2033.
About Arunachal Pradesh:
Chief Minister– Pema Khandu
Governor- Lt Gen Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik
National parks– Mouling National Park, Namdapha National Park
Wildlife Sanctuaries– Talle Wildlife Sanctuary, Eagle Nest Wildlife Sanctuary
