Updated: December 6, 2020 10:20:20 pm
Chamba metal crafts include items such as metal idols and brass utensils that, historically, were made by skilled artisans in the courts of the Chamba kings. (Photo: Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation)
The government of Himachal Pradesh is trying to obtain GI (Geographical Indication) of five products from the state: Karsog Kulth, Thangi from Pangi, Chamba Metal Crafts, Chamba Chukh and Rajmah from Bharmour.
What is a geographical indication?
The World Intellectual Property Organization defines a GI as “a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or reputation due to that origin”.
Geographical indications are normally used for agricultural products, groceries, handicrafts, industrial products, wines and spirits. Darjeeling tea, Kullu shawl, Mysore agarbathi, champagne (France), Swiss watches, etc. are some of his examples.
At the international level, geographical indications are covered as an element of intellectual property rights under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. They are also covered by the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). 📣 Follow Express explained on Telegram
What is special about these five Himachal products?
Karsog Kulth: Kulthi or Kulth (horse gram) is a legume grown as a kharif crop in Himachal Pradesh. The kulth grown in the Karsog area of the Mandi district is believed to be particularly rich in amino acids.
Pangi ki Thangi: It is a type of hazelnut that grows in the Pangi Valley located on the northwestern edge of Himachal. It is known for its unique taste and sweetness.
Metal chamba crafts: These include items such as metal idols and bronze utensils that were historically made by skilled artisans in the courts of the Chamba kings. There are efforts to revive the trade, and a plaque made of a brass-like alloy with carvings of gods and goddesses remains popular.
Chamba Chukh: It is a chutney made from green and red chilies grown in Chamba, and prepared in a traditional and unique way. The practice has largely declined in rural Chamba households, but survives to some extent on a small-scale industrial level.
Bharmouri Rajmah – More specifically called Kugtalu Rajmah, as it grows in the area around the Kugti Pass in the Bharmour region of the Chamba district. It is rich in protein and has a unique flavor.
How will the Himachal government search for geographical indications for these products?
“For Chamba metal crafts, historical literature can help establish its unique characteristics and reputation. For the other four agricultural products, however, we will have to identify their distinctive genealogical characteristics. To do this, researchers from Palampur Agricultural University have been engaged, ”said Nishant Thakur, deputy member and secretary of HP’s Science, Technology and Environment Council.
Once the characteristic features of all products are identified, the Council will apply for IG status to the Office of the Comptroller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks of the central government of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. After the application, the Center’s teams will investigate the claims and the time required to grant a GI is usually two to four years.
How many registered GIs does Himachal currently have?
Eight. These include four handicrafts (Kullu Shawl, Chamba Rumal, Kinnauri Shawl, and Kangra Paintings), three agricultural products (Kangra Tea, Basmati, and Himachali Kala Zeera), and one manufactured product (Himachali Chulli Oil).
Kullu Shawl and Kangra Tea were the first to register in 2005-06. Basmati has been jointly registered in seven northern states of India, including Himachal Pradesh. Chulli (apricot) and kala jeera (cumin) oil, mainly associated with Kinnaur and known for their medicinal properties, were the last recorded in 2018-19. There are 370 GIs registered in India.
How does a GI tag help?
A GI label provides a better market for these products and prevents misuse of the name. An IG registration is granted to an area, not a merchant, but once a product is registered, merchants who trade the product can apply to sell it under the IG logo. Each authorized merchant is assigned a unique IG number. For example, the Kullu shawl has 135 authorized merchants. A shawl made in Ludhiana cannot be sold as a Kullu shawl. If any unauthorized trader, including from Kullu, tries to sell a shawl under the name of Shawl Kullu, it may be prosecuted under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999.
Geographical indications are also expected to boost or reactivate items whose production has decreased, as is intended in the case of Chamba Chukh and metal crafts.
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