Kangra tea of Himachal Pradesh gets EU registration for GI tag

Context– The Kangra tea of Himachal Pradesh has been registered with the European Union as a protected Geographical Indication tag.

  Key highlights:

• The Kangra tea introduced to Himachal Pradesh by the British in the 1850s became the second product to get registered with the EU, known for its quality,unique aroma and a tinge of fruity flavor; it was already given the GI status in the year 2005.
•  According to the tea board it is milder than the Darjeeling tea in flavour.
•  The  registration with the EU  shall recognise the quality, genuineness and reputation of the product in the European markets and boost the sale of the tea and benefit the Kangra tea growers of Palampur, Baijnath, Kangra and Dharamshala in Kangra district Jogindernagar of Mandi district and Bhattiyat area of Chamba district.

 About GI tags of products

• The state of Himachal pradesh has more than 400 GI status for traditional products like Kullu shawl,Chamba Rumal,Kinnaur shawl, Kangra painting, lahaul woolen socks and gloves. 
• Currently the Registrar of Geographical Indication,Chennai has kept the GI tag for Himachali caps, Sirmauri Loeya, Mandi Sepubari , Chamba Metal craft,Kinnauri apple and Kinnauri ornaments under consideration.
•  Among the states with GI tags Tamil Nadu has the highest number of GI tags in the country followed by Uttar Pradesh. Tamil Nadu has  55 GI tagged goods while U.P has 48 followed by Karnataka with 46. However U.P is first in terms of Handicrafts with 36 GI tags for craft category.

 About GI tags

• The Geographical Indication Tag is a status given to a product  belonging exclusively to a particular area. The quality, reputation and any other characteristics of that particular product is generally attributed to the geographical origin of the product.
•  The Geographical Indications of goods (Registration and Protection ) Act,1999 seeks to provide the registration of GI tags relating to goods in India. It is governed by the TRIPS- Trade Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights of the World Trade organization. 
•  GI tag is given primarily to agricultural, natural and manufactured-handicraft and industrial goods. The tag is valid for a period of 10 years after which it is renewed. 
• The tag prevents illegal selling or copying the product under the name, promotes exports, provides legal protection against unauthorized use and provides customers with authentic goods.
•  Popular GI products include Darjeeling tea, Basmati rice, Kashmir saffron, Mysore Silk, Thanjavur paintings. Chanderi fabric, Pipli work, Madhubani painting,Bhagalpuri Jardalo mangoes ,etc.

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