Geographical Indication (GI) Tags of Himachal Pradesh

Geographical Indication (GI) Tags of Himachal Pradesh

WhatsApp Group Join Now
Telegram Group Join Now
Instagram Group Join Now

The Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 (GI Act) is a sui generis Act of the Parliament of India for protection of geographical indication in India. Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 has come into force with effect from 15 September 2003. Darjeeling tea became the first GI tagged product in India, in 2004–2005

A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on certain products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g., a town, region, or country).

Himachal Pradesh the 1st state to formulate “Policy for the Registration and Protection of Geographical Indication of Goods in Himachal Pradesh”. H.P. Patent Information Centre files application on behalf of any association of persons, produces, organization in the State of H.P.

List of Geographical Indication (GI) Tag of Himachal Pradesh

  • Kullu Shawl – 2004
  • Chamba Rumal- 2007
  • Kinnauri Shawl-2008
  • Kangra Tea- 2012
  • Kangra Paintings -2012
  • Kala Zeera -2019
  • Kinnauri Chuli Oil – 2019
  • Basmati Rice of HP -2020
  • Chamba Chappal-2021
  • Lahauli Socks and Gloves-2021

Geographical Indication (GI) Tags of Himachal Pradesh

Kullu Shawl :

Kullu Shawl was registered under Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 on 10 December 2004. Kullu shawls are oirginated in Kullu Valley particularly along the river valley of Beas situated at Himachal Pradesh. Kinds of materials used to manufacture the Shawls are local wool, Merino wool, Angora, Pashmina, synthetic yarn, Yalk wool, Cotton and other handcrafted material.

A distinctive feature of Kullu shawls is the stripes or band running horizontally widthwise at the lateral ends. These bands, a few centimeters wide and varying from two to seven centimeters on each side, are decorated with a variety of patterns woven in brilliant colours like yellow, green, white of red on a black background or orange and green on a brown base.

Chamba Rumal :

Chamba Rumal was registered Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act,1999 on 22 January 2007. Chamba Rumal is associated with for the embroidered work done on the hand spun ‘khaddar’ or a fine muslin cloth, which is in square and oblong format. „Chamba Rumal‟ is a pictorial craft that represents unique embroidery, which originated and flourished during 17th–18th centuries in Chamba town in the State of Himachal Pradesh.

There is a predominance of figures of deities, especially of Vishnu in his different forms. The “dorukha-tanka” the double satin stitch that is used in the Chamba Rumal embroidery is unique.

Kinnauri Shawl :

Kinnauri Shawl was registered under Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act,1999 on 4 December 2008. Kinnauri Shawl is known as Chhali in local dialect. Its average size is 42”x96” and it can vary as per body structure of ladies and gents. Ladies wear chhali toproo (Shawl of designing pattern) whereas gents wear plain chhali. Due to traditional designing on woolen shawls and caps the products are recognizably Kinnauri.

The Kinnauri decorative designs are largely geometrical, executed in very soft and pleasing pastel shades. In Kinnauri Shawls, there is intricate use of the stylized Buddhist symbols and complex graphic patterns, consisting of hexagons (gyatongor tank) and square (palpe) etc.

Kangra Tea :

Kangra Tea was registered under Geographical Indication of goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 on 2nd April, 2012. Kangra tea with perfect blend of liquor and flavour has bountiful of health nourishing natural products. Kangra tea leaves have up to 13 % catechins that are saved with high efficiency whole leaf – orthodox manufacture. It also has 3 % caffeine and amino acids like theanine, glutamine, and tryptophan – the important vitalizers.

Kangra tea is derived from the leaves, buds and tender stems of plants the botanical name of tea plants is Camellia sinensis or Thea sinensis grown in Kangra Valley & Jogindernagar area of Mandi District and Bhatiyat Tehsil of Chamba District is mainly produced in the southern slopes of Dhauladhar ranges of western Himalayas within the altitude range of 900m to 1400 m.

Kangra tea has become the second product of the country to get registered with the European Union (EU) as a protected Geographical Indication (GI), paving the way for the sale of the product in European countries.

Kangra Paintings :

Kangra Painting was registered under Geographical Indication of goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 on 2nd April 2012. The principal centre of Kangra paintings was Kangra Valley where the artists worked under the patronage of the hill Rajas of Guler, Kangra and Nurpur. The new arrivals mingled with the local artists and were greatly influenced by the atmosphere of the hills and adopted themes of eternal love between Radha and Krishna. Verdant greenery of the landscape, brooks, springs were the recurrent images on the miniatures.

Bhakti cult was the driving force and the love story of Radha and Krishna was the main source of spiritual experience, which was also the base for the visual expression. In some miniatures, the blue-god Krishna is seen dancing in the lush woodlands and every maiden‟s eye are drawn to him. The sentiment of love remained the inspiration and the central theme of Kangra painting.

Kala Zeera :

Kala Zeera was registered under Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act,1999 on March, 2019. Himachali Kala Zeera or black cumin is one of the most economically important medicinal plant and spice that grows largely in Himachal Pradesh.

Himalayas, kala zeera thrives in the high mountainous regions of Kinnaur, Kullu, Chamba, Shimla, Sirmaur, Lahaul – Spiti, Pangi and Bharmaur that are at an elevation of 1850 – 3100 metres. The major difference between Himachali kala zeera (Bunium persicum) and other species is the presence of higher concentration of volatile oils, aldehydes and high percentage of Cuminaldehyde.

Kinnauri Chuli Oil :

Kinnauri Chuli Oil was registered under Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act,1999 on March, 2019. The Chulli (wild apricot) is mainly grown as wild in the upper reaches of Himachal Pradesh under the care of nature. This is an ORGANIC fruit. The oil from Chulli is already being used to a limited extent by local tribes for food, massaging and for other homemade remedies.

Basmati Rice of HP -2020

Basmati Rice was registered under Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act,1999 in the year of 2020. Basmati is special long grain aromatic rice grown in a particular Indo-Gangetic Plains geographical region of the Indian subcontinent. Historically it is being produced in undivided India from long time and with a recorded history of over 200 years.

Chamba Chappal-2021 :

Chamba Chappal was registered under Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 on September,2021. Chamba is famous for handmade chappals. This trade is concentrated in the hands of Cobbler families. The crafts men of this trade used leather of sheep, goat and calf skin for the purpose. The striking feature of chamba chappal is the embroidery done on them. The embroidery is done with silk and golden threads called Russi-Tilla.The motifs usually are of lantana flower and leaves.

Lahauli Socks and Gloves :

Lahauli Socks and Gloves was registered under Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 on September,2021. The Lahauli socks and gloves are made from indigenous wool sheared from local sheep. A Lahauli pair of socks is knit in parts, using four double pointed needles. First the cuff is knit, second the leg, and at last the heel.

The upper part of the foot is knit using eight colors into a traditional eye-catching pattern, locally called ‘dashi’, which comprises patterns composed by seven or eight types of motifs. Each ‘dashi’ is laid out in four or five rows in different colours.

The women of Lahaul and Spiti are experts at making woolen products. They are experts in knitting woolen socks and gloves. The designs are very attractive while maintaining the functionality of providing warmth.

Geographical Indication (GI) Tags of Himachal Pradesh

Is Kangra tea getting GI Tag from European Commission?

Kangra tea has become the second product of the country to get registered with the European Union (EU) as a protected Geographical Indication (GI), paving the way for the sale of the product in European countries.

When did kangra tea get got GI tag?

Kangra Tea was registered under Geographical Indication of goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 on 2nd April, 2012.

Also Read : History of Himachal Pradesh

Leave a Comment