The famous Banarasi paan (betel leaf), langda aam (mango), were among two items from Varanasi which were granted the GI certification on March 31 by the GI Registry, Chennai. Apart from these, 10 items from UP were also given the GI tag
A geographical indication (GI) tag is a sign used on locally produced products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities that are due to that origin. A product can be given a GI tag if it is a speciality of a given place
The newly added items from Uttar Pradesh to get GI tag are Aligarh Tala, Bakharia Brassware, Banda Shazar Patthar Craft, Nagina Wood Craft, Pratapgarh Aonla, and Hathras Hing
Earlier, two varieties of betel leaf were given the GI tag. The first is the Maghai paan from Bihar, a distinctive variety grown in four districts of the state, which fetches a high price. The second is the Mahoba Desawari paan found in Uttar Pradesh and in Madhya Pradesh
Some of the 15 handloom and handicraft items from UP, which already have the GI tag, include Banaras brocade and Banarasi saree, wooden toys, metal repoussé craft items, soft stone Jali craft, Gulabi Meenakari, hand block print, wood carving and glass beads produced by local craftsmen living in different areas of Varanasi
The enlisted GI-tagged goods from UP are estimated to generate a yearly revenue of Rs 25,500 crore. The remaining nine goods might also be added to India’s intellectual property
Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has been trying to promote the GI tags. During the G7 summit in 2022, he gifted GI products, including Banarasi Gulabi Meenakari and wood carving, to foreign dignitaries
Yogi Adityanath-led UP government in association with NABARD (National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development) submitted the GI applications for 20 state-based products during the Covid phase. Out of this, 11 items have been granted the GI status
Currently, more than 400 products across India have been given the GI tag
As part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan part 2, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change proposed a ban on single-use plastic (SUPs) by the end of 2022