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“Invaluable treasures of incredible India” – the official tagline for all the Geographical Indications (GI) of India, exactly manifests in an allegorical way, the rich diversity and invaluable heritage of this incredible land !
Governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 a Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign associating a product of a specific geographical origin, by virtue of which it possesses unique attributes and qualities which are distinctly inherent to that particular product.
Geographical Indications (GIs) are considered as elements of IPRs with respect to Articles 1 (2) and 10 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. Further, Articles 22 to 24 of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement explicitly describe the nature, scope and ambit of the Geographical Indications to be adopted by the member states. India has adopted a sui generis system for the protection of geographical indications. As of 2021, a total of 417 products have been registered as GIs in India. Below is a review on all the registered GIs from the North-Eastern states of India, viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.
Arunachal Orange
Application Number :- 375
Applicant Name :- North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Ltd (NERAMAC)
Date of Filing :- 27/01/2012
Class :- 31
Goods :- Agriculture
The Arunachal mandarin oranges are also called Wakro oranges deriving its name from the place where it is grown extensively in Arunachal Pradesh. These are round-shaped with a sweet-sour taste. They have medium thick rind that attains a bright orange colour at full ripening. The rind is fairly easy to peel, making it convenient to eat with the fingers. However, it is the loose skin that distinguishes itself from other varieties. Arunachal orange has a relatively good size with a high amount of juice and acidity is the lowest lending it a unique taste. It has a high content of TSS and is packed with Vitamin C.
Idu Mishmi Textiles
Application Number :- 625
Applicant Name :- Idu Mishmi Cultural and Literary Society (IMCLS)
Date of Filing :- 09/10/2018
Class :- 25
Goods :- Textiles
The Idu Mishmi Textiles made by the Idu Mishmi, a sub-tribe of the Mishmi tribe, are prized possessions, usually woven by the women of the community to supplement the family income. The yarns for making these textiles are extracted from the nettle plants which are commonly grown in the wild areas. The patterns woven are inspired by the beauty of Arunachal Pradesh. The designs include intricate geometrical patterns like lines, angles, triangles, rhomboid shapes with the continuous sequence.
Muga Silk of Assam
Application Number :- 385
Applicant Name :- Patent Information Center
Date of Filing :- 19/06/2012
Class :- 23, 24, 25, 27, & 31
Goods :- Handicraft
The Muga Silk of Assam is one of the rarest Silks in the world and it is produced exclusively in Assam. The word `Muga’ means yellowish in Assamese, the golden colour and shine of the fabric is one of the most unique features of Muga silk. In fact, the shine of the fabric is said to improve after each wash making it a product that will last you a lifetime, and also making it one of the costliest silks in the world. A Muga Mekhela Chador, the traditional dress of Assamese women remains one of the most coveted fashion items for locals.
Assam (Orthodox) tea
Application Number :- 115
Applicant Name :- Tea Board
Date of Filing :- 19/11/2007
Class :- 30
Goods :- Agriculture
Being the second Assam product to bag the GI label after muga silk, the Assam Orthodox Teas is of superior quality, less likely to be bitter, and contains more subtle and multi-layered flavors. It is rolled with machinery in a manner that mimics hand-rolling and is made with orthodox production methods.
Assam Karbi Anglong Ginger
Application Number :- 435
Applicant Name :- North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Ltd (NERAMAC)
Date of Filing :- 29/08/2013
Class :- 30
Goods :- Agriculture
The Assam Karbi Anglong Ginger variety is a medium-size rhizome with a yellow skin known for its distinctive pungency and heady aroma and is fibrous in nature with a shelf-life of 9 months. The raw ginger of Karbi Anglong are supplied to different parts of India and exported to the Middle-East, Germany and France.
Tezpur Litchi
Application Number :- 438
Applicant Name :- North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC)
Date of Filing :- 29/08/2013
Class :- 31
Goods :- Agriculture
The Tezpur Litchi has a very distinctive size, shape, flavour, taste and juicy pulp that is typical of the Assam region. The colour of the fruit varies from dull brick red to pinkish brown to an attractive red. The pulp is white to greyish white in colour. Tezpur litchi has a mouth-watering flavour and weighs around 70 g – 80 g which is the largest among all varieties grown in Assam.
Joha Rice Of Assam
Application Number :- 439
Applicant Name :- Assam Agricultural University and Seuj Satirtha
Date of Filing :- 29/08/2013
Class :- 30
Goods :- Agriculture
The Joha Rice Of Assam is a variety of rice grown in Assam that is genetically distinct from other classes of rice cultivated in Assam and elsewhere. In Garo Hills, it’s widely cultivated and it is known as Jaha rice or locally known as mi Jaha. The uniqueness of Joha rice is attributed to particular climatic conditions prevalent in the area along with varietal characters and system of rice cultivation, adding to the best expression of aroma and flavour.
Boka Chaul
Application Number :- 558
Applicant Name :- Lotus Progressive Centre (LPC) and Centre for Environment Education (CEE)
Date of Filing :- 25/07/2016
Class :- 30
Goods :- Agriculture
Also called the ‘magic rice’ or ‘zero cooking rice’, the Boka Chaul rice is grown in the Lower Brahmaputra Valley region. It is well-known for its unique property of preparation by just soaking it in water at room temperature. It has a unique softness because of the low percentage of amylose (8 – 12 percent as compared to 20 – 25 percent in most rice varieties). The Boka Chaul is easily digestible, fluffy and light. The water absorption capacity and fibre content are also much higher than other parboiled rice varieties.
Kaji Nemu
Application Number :- 609
Applicant Name :- CRS-NA-DIHING NEMU TENGA UNNAYAN SAMITY
Date of Filing :- 05/01/2018
Class :- 31
Goods :- Agriculture
The Kaji Nemu lemon variety is an indigenous lemon of Assam and it has certain uniqueness in terms of quality which is essentially attributable to its place of origin i. e., Assam. It fruit is widely used for culinary, beverages, industrial and medicinal uses. It is comparatively larger than the regular lemon. It has a tendency of cluster bearing habit which generally produces seedless fruits with 9-12 segments.
Chokuwa Rice of Assam
Application Number :- 572
Applicant Name :- Secretary, Seuj Satirth
Date of Filing :- 14/12/2016
Class :- 30
Goods :- Agriculture
The Chokuwa rice is widely consumed by rural Assam and many local delicacies are prepared for social and religious ceremonies, feasts and festivals. It is used extensively for instant preparations. This parboiled rice has about 12 – 17 percent amylose content as compared to other varieties which have about 20 – 27 percent. Rice powder and rice flakes are also prepared from Chokuwa rice that are very tasty and preferred by the locals.
Judima
Application Number :- 643
Applicant Name :- Managing Trustee, Youth Association for Development & Empowerment (YADEM)
Date of Filing :- 16/01/2019
Class :- 33
Goods :- Agricultural
The Judima is a rice wine made from sticky rice (glutinous rice called Bora), which is steamed and mixed with traditional herbs called Thembra (Acacia pennata). The wine is a specialty of the Dimasa tribe of the state (Assam) and has a distinct sweet taste and takes around one week to prepare and it can be stored for years.
Shaphee Lanphee
Application Number :- 371
Applicant Name :- Department of Commerce & Industries
Date of Filing :- 19/12/2011
Class :- 25
Goods :- Handicraft
The Shaphee Lanphee is a traditional textile fabric woven and embroidered by Meitei women of Manipur. The fabric was, in the past, presented as a gift of honour (Mana Phee) to the soldiers for their bravery in a successful war, and to the praise-worthy chiefs of the Nagas of Manipur by the king of Manipur. The core part of the fabric has red colour representing sun, the white strips at both borders denoting the cosmos of sky and the stars, and symbols of moon and sun assigned to mother and father
Wangkhei Phee
Application Number :- 372
Applicant Name :- Department of Commerce & Industries
Date of Filing :- 19/12/2011
Class :- 25
Goods :- Handicraft
The Wangkhei Phee is a textile fabric made of white cotton. The fabric is transparent, has many designs on its body, and is popularly worn by women of Manipur for marriage ceremonies and other festive occasions.
Moirang Phee
Application Number :- 373
Applicant Name :- Department of Commerce & Industries
Date of Filing :- 19/12/2011
Class :- 25
Goods :- Handicraft
The Moirang Phee is a textile fabric having a specific design called the “MoirangPheejin” which is woven sequentially on both longitudinal edges of the fabric and oriented towards the center of the cloth, with cotton or silk threads.
Kachai Lemon
Application Number :- 466
Applicant Name :- North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC)
Date of Filing :- 10/12/2013
Class :- 31
Goods :- Agriculture
Popularly known as Kachai Champra (Lemon), the Kachai Lemon is widely grown in the Kachai village in Ukhrul District, Manipur. Unlike the other lemon varieties grown in other parts of world, Kachai Lemon is considered to be unique as it contains 45-51 mg/100 ml ascorbic acid, the highest so far available in the realm of citrus while other lemon varieties have only 45-51 ascorbic acid mg/100 ml of juice. The juice content is 36-56 ml per fruit.
Chak-Hao
Application Number :- 602
Applicant Name :- North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC)
Date of Filing :- 26/12/2017
Class :- 30
Goods :- Agricultural
The Chak-Hao rice variety has a deep black colour and is higher by weight than that of other coloured rice varieties like brown rice, etc. The rice has higher weight and is black in colour mainly due to the anthocyanin agent. The rice is suitable for creating a dessert, porridge.
Tamenglong Orange
Application Number :- 590
Applicant Name :- Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA)
Date of Filing :- 18/09/2017
Class :- 31
Goods :- Agricultural
The Tamenglong mandarin orange is bigger in size, weighing 232.76 grams on average. It is a unique sweet and sour flavour. It has high juice content (around 45 per cent) and is rich in ascorbic acid (48.12 mg/100ml). These oranges are grown over areas spanning 1,800 hectares in the hills of Tamenglong, out of which 400 hectares are certified as organic by MOMA.
Hathei Chilli
Application Number :- 592
Applicant Name :- Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA)
Date of Filing :- 18/09/2017
Class :- 30
Goods :- Agricultural
The Hathei chilly is one of the best varieties of chillies with a distinct flavour and colour. It also works as a good anti-oxidant and possesses high calcium and Vitamin C levels. It has an extremely high American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) colour value of 164. The extractable colour of chilli is usually expressed using ASTA values.
Khasi Mandarin
Application Number :- 465
Applicant Name :- North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC)
Date of Filing :- 18/09/2017
Class :- 30
Goods :- Agricultural
The Khasi mandarin is known for its high nutritional value, distinctive quality and taste, sweet tanginess and high sugar content that makes it suitable in the preparation of pulp concentrates, jams, jellies, marmalades, squashes and packed ready-to-drink juice. Orange citrus oil is another important product for flavouring.
Memong Narang
Application Number :- 437
Applicant Name :- North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC)
Date of Filing :- 12/12/2014
Class :- 31
Goods :- Agriculture
The Memang Narang is a very small sour fruit with a pleasant smell. The surface of the fruit is smooth and deep orange red to almost scarlet in colour when fully ripe. The fruits are not juicy and not edible. The fruits are mostly used as medicine to cure diseases like viral infection, kidney stone and many stomach ailments.
Chakhesang Shawls
Application Number :- 542
Applicant Name :- Chakhesang Women Welfare Society
Date of Filing :- 01/01/2016
Class :- 24, 25 & 27
Goods :- Textiles
The Chakhesang Shawls are not only made of cotton but also made of nettle and jute plants. The use of unconventional materials such as nettle, Deccan jute, the bark of DeBarge tree is unique to the tribe making it. The dyeing of shawls is also done through the use of natural material that is collected from the forest. Yarns such as acrylic, polyester, wool are used for making the products.
Naga Tree Tomato
Application Number :- 374
Applicant Name :- North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Ltd (NERAMAC)
Date of Filing :- 27/01/2012
Class :- 31
Goods :- Horticulture Product (Tomato)
The Naga Tree Tomato is a small tree or shrub in the flowering plant family Solanaceae (the nightshade family). It is best known as the species that bears the tamarillo, an egg-shaped edible fruit. Yellow-fruited cultivars have a sweeter flavor, occasionally compared to mango or apricot. The red-fruited variety, which is much more widely cultivated, is more tart, and the savory aftertaste is far more pronounced.
Naga Mircha
Application Number :- 109
Applicant Name :- The Secretary, Department of Horticulture & Agriculture
Date of Filing :- 22/08/2007
Class :- 31
Goods :- Agriculture
Popularly called as “Bhut Jolokia” or Ghost Chilli”, the Naga Mircha is a chilly variety characterized by finely wrinkled skin with thin flesh, fruity aroma and distinctive pungency. Moreover, it has an exquisite and unique taste.
Naga Cucumber
Application Number :- 640
Applicant Name :- North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC)
Date of Filing :- 10/12/2018
Class :- 31
Goods :- Agricultural
The Naga cucumber is recognised for its sweetness and unique green colour. It is rich in potassium and has low calories. The cucumber is not the first product from the small state to receive a vaunted GI tag.
Tripura Queen Pineapple
Application Number :- 436
Applicant Name :- North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Ltd (NERAMAC)
Date of Filing :- 29/08/2013
Class :- 31
Goods :- Agricultural
The renowned Tripura Queen Pineapple is spiny, golden yellow in colour, with a distinctive aroma, has high juice content, tanginess and sweetness that sets it apart from the pineapples grown in the other Northeast states.
Dalle Khursani
Application Number :- 636
Applicant Name :- North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC)
Date of Filing :- 10/12/2018
Class :- 30
Goods :- Agricultural
Known to have a Scoville scale at the range of 1,00,000 to 3,50,000 SHU (Scoville Heat Units), the Dalle Khursani chilli variety is known for its unique flavour and aroma.It is also high in vitamin A, vitamin E, and potassium, and low in sodium. One hundred grams of fresh dalle khursani will have 240 mg of vitamin C (five times higher than an orange), 11,000 IU of vitamin A, and 0.7 mg of vitamin E.
Mizo Chilli
Application Number :- 377
Applicant Name :- North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Ltd (NERAMAC)
Date of Filing :- 27/01/2012
Class :- 30
Goods :- Spices (Chilli)
Also known as ‘Mizoram’s Bird Eye Chilli’, the Mizo Chilli is grown under completely organic cultivation on Jhum land where high availability of potash in the area gives it a distinctive red colour. It is small, about half an inch in length, greenish in color before ripening and becomes bright red when ripe.
Pawndum
Application Number :- 586
Applicant Name :- Art and Culture Department, Government of Mizoram
Date of Filing :- 30/08/2017
Class :- 24,25
Goods :- Textiles
Pawndum is a traditional cloth worn by the people of Mizo community. It is a piece of fabric which is rectangular in shape used by both men and women as a body wrap. It offers protection against the cold of the Lushai mountains and indicates various hues of celebration, bravery or mourning.
Ngotekherh
Application Number :- 587
Applicant Name :- Art and Culture Department, Government of Mizoram
Date of Filing :- 30/08/2017
Class :- 24,25
Goods :- Textiles
The Hmaram and Ngotekherh are among the most popular Mizo traditional shawls worn on special occasions. The Hmar, a major Mizo tribe, claimed that the two shawls originally belonged to them.
Hmaram
Application Number :- 588
Applicant Name :- Art and Culture Department, Government of Mizoram
Date of Filing :- 30/08/2017
Class :- 24,25
Goods :- Textiles
The Hmaram and Ngotekherh are among the most popular Mizo traditional shawls worn on special occasions. The Hmar, a major Mizo tribe, claimed that the two shawls originally belonged to them.
Tawlhlohpuan
Application Number :- 582
Applicant Name :- Art and Culture Department, Government of Mizoram
Date of Filing :- 30/08/2017
Class :- 24,25
Goods :- Textiles
The Tawlhlohpuan is a medium to heavy, compactly woven, good quality fabric from Mizoram is known for warp yarns, warping, weaving & intricate designs that are made by hand. Tawlhloh, in Mizo language, means ‘to stand firm or not to move backward’.
Mizo Puanchei
Application Number :- 583
Applicant Name :- Art and Culture Department, Government of Mizoram
Date of Filing :- 30/08/2017
Class :- 24,25
Goods :- Textiles
The Mizo Puanchei is a colourful Mizo shawl and is considered as the most colourful among the Mizo textiles. It is an essential possession for every Mizo lady and an important marriage outfit in the state. It is also the most commonly used costume in Mizo festive dances and official ceremonies. The weavers insert the designs and motifs by using supplementary yarns while weaving to create this beautiful and alluring textile.
Mizo Ginger
Application Number :- 629
Applicant Name :- Mizoram Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium
Date of Filing :- 28/11/2018
Class :- 30
Goods :- Agricultural
Also known as ‘Sawhthing’ locally, the Mizo gingers are renowned for their pungency, high content of gingerol (1.23 to 1.25 percent) and volatile oil (1.45 to 1.80 percent) with less crude fibre content as compared to the varieties found in North East India.