Context:
Recently, Meghalaya’s Lakadong turmeric has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
Relevance:
GS III: Indian Economy
Dimensions of the Article:
- Lakadong Turmeric and Curcumin
- Geographical Indications (GI) Tag
Lakadong Turmeric and Curcumin
Lakadong Turmeric
- Renowned as one of the finest turmeric varieties globally, with curcumin levels of 6.8 to 7.5%.
- Notable for its deeper hue and organic cultivation practices in the Lakadong region of Jaintia Hills.
- Alongside Lakadong turmeric, Meghalaya’s Garo Dakmanda, Larnai pottery, and Garo Chubitchi have received the Geographical Indication (GI) status.
Curcumin
- Curcumin is a polyphenol known for its interaction with various cellular signaling molecules.
- Recognized for therapeutic effects on inflammatory diseases, metabolic syndrome, pain relief, and eye condition management.
- Offers renal benefits and is largely appreciated for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
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.
-Source: The Hindu
