GI TAGS- 2020 LIST

Kashmir Saffron Gets The GI Tag

Kashmir saffron, which is cultivated and harvested in the Karewa (highlands) of Jammu and Kashmir, has been given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Geographical Indications Registry. The spice is grown in some regions of Kashmir, including Pulwama, Budgam, Kishtwar and Srinagar.
It is the only saffron in the world grown at an altitude of 1,600 m to 1,800 m AMSL (above mean sea level), which adds to its uniqueness and differentiates it from other saffron varieties available the world over.

The saffron available in Kashmir is of 3 types

‘Lachha Saffron’, with stigmas just separated from the flowers and dried without further processing;
‘Mongra Saffron’, in which stigmas are detached from the flower, dried in the sun and processed traditionally; and
‘Guchhi Saffron’, which is the same as Lachha, except that the latter’s dried stigmas are packed loosely in air-tight containers while the former has stigmas joined together in a bundle tied with a cloth thread.

Saffron cultivation is believed to have been introduced in Kashmir by Central Asian immigrants around 1st Century BCE. In ancient Sanskrit literature, saffron is referred to as ‘bahukam’.

Question on Karewa deposits has been asked in previous Prelims exam,picked directly from Indian Gepgraphy-Physical NCERT.

Puttapaka Telia Rumal -Nalgonda, Telangana

The Telia Rumal is made of complex handmade work over cotton loomed cloth. It is created using traditional handloom process. The process is complicated and can be created only through traditional handloom processes. The designs are created in three particular colours. This includes red, white and black.
Telia Rumal is a unique tie and dye technique that uses oil for the treatment of the yarn that helps it retain softness and has a distinct smell of gingelly oil.

Sohrai Khovar Painting- Jharkhand

The Sohrai Khovar painting is a traditional and ritualistic mural art being practised by local tribal women during local harvest and marriage seasons using local, naturally available soils of different colours in the area of Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand.

GI Tag to Manipur Black Rice

Black rice of Manipur, also called the Chak-Hao received GI tag.
Chak-Hao, a scented glutinous rice which has been in cultivation in Manipur over centuries, is characterised by its special aroma. It is normally eaten during community feasts and is served as Chak-Hao kheer.
Chak-Hao has also been used by traditional medical practitioners as part of traditional medicine.
According to the GI application filed, this rice takes the longest cooking time of 40-45 minutes due to the presence of a fibrous bran layer and higher crude fibre content.
The rice has higher weight and is black in colour mainly due to the anthocyanin agent.

Terracotta Work of Gorakhpur

The terracotta work of Gorakhpur is a centuries-old traditional art form, where the potters make various animal figures like, horses, elephants, camel, goat, ox, etc. with hand-applied ornamentation.
The entire work is done with bare hands and artisans use natural colour, which stays fast for a long time.

Kovilpatti kadalai mittai – Tamil Nadu

Kovilpatti kadalai mittai is a candy made of peanuts held together with glistening syrup, and topped with wisps of grated coconut dyed pink, green and yellow. It is made using all natural ingredients such as the traditional and special ‘vellam’ (jaggery) and groundnuts and water from the river Thamirabarani is used in the production, which enhances the taste naturally.
Kovilpatti kadalai mittai is produced by using both groundnuts and jaggery (organic jaggery) in Tamil Nadu. The groundnuts are grown in the native black soil in and around Kovilpatti.

Thanjavur Netti Works (Thanjavur Pith Work)

Thanjavur Netti Works (Thanjavur Pith Work) is made from pith. The pith is obtained from netti, a hydrophyte plant called as Aeschynomene aspera.
The lakes around Pudukottai (Pudukullam & Kallaperumbur lake) are surrounded with marshy land which favours the growth of the hydrophytic plant.
The soil found in Thanjavur is favourable for the growth of the plant that is used for the production of pith handicraft based in Thanjavur.
The notable works from Thanjavur Netti Works include models of the Brihadeeshwara Temple, Hindu idols, garlands, door hangings and show pieces used for decoration.
They resemble ivory and marble handicrafts in looks.

Arumbavur Wood Carving

It is done at Arumbavur and around the Veppanthattai taluk of Perambalur district. The wood carvings are primarily made out of wooden logs of Indian siris , mango , lingam tree , Indian ash tree , rosewood, neem tree.
The carvings in Arambavur Wood Carvings are often inspired by architectural details on temple sculptures and carvings.
Usually, the statues are crafted in the range of 1 to 12 feet.
The art form also draws inspiration from mythology and mythical deities.
Arumbavur wood carvings revolve around idols and deities, temple chariots and temple cars, door panels of houses, pooja rooms and temples, decorative figures, pooja mandapam.Whereas Thanjavur pith works are mostly miniature models of temples.
The artisans – predominantly the Boyar community.

GI Tags related other News-2020

Kangra Tea

The HCQ drug was recommended for asymptomatic health care workers. However, the ineffectiveness and side effects of the drug is making the council look into alternatives.The anti-HIV drugs are being recommended to replace HCQ. Apart from these drugs, the Kangra Tea has also been suggested.
Kangra Tea is a tea variety from Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The tea received GI tag in 2005.
The Kangra Tea is a Chinese variety called Camelia sinensis that was first planted in 1848.

Basmati Rice

GI tag was granted to Basmati Rice in 2010 for regions located in Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) below the foothills of the Himalayas, spread across seven states — Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Western UP (26 districts) and Delhi.
Why Madhya Pradesh is not getting GI tag– As per GI of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act in 2003, ‘reputation’ to a geographical area is central to the recognition of a GI product and only seven states have that reputation.