GI Tag Accorded to West Bengal Products

• 08 Jan 2024

In a New Year's delight for Bengal, recently five products from the state have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) tags by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.

Key Points

• Recognized Goods: Sundarbans' natural honey, Jalpaiguri's Kalo Nunia rice, and Murshidabad's Garad and Korial, along with Tangail sarees from Nadia and East Burdwan, have received GI tags, acknowledging their unique regional identity.
• Total Bengal Items: With these additions, Bengal now boasts a total of 27 items registered on the GI portal, including renowned items like Darjeeling tea, 'laxman bhog' and 'himsagar' mangoes, 'Joynagar moa,' 'sitabhog,' 'mihidana,' the Bengal variety of rasogolla, 'gobindabhog' rice, Bankura's terracotta craft, and Baluchari and Dhaniakhali sarees.
• Sundarbans' Mouban Honey: The honey collected from Sundarbans, known as Mouban, secured the GI tag, highlighting its significance as a prime minor forest produce (MFP) and the livelihood source for around 2,000 residents of Sundarbans.
• Kalo Nunia Rice: This rare rice variety, sought after in north Bengal, commands a price of Rs 100 to Rs 120 per kilogram, according to state agriculture officials.
• Tangail Saree Pride: The Tangail Jamdani saree, originally from Bangladesh and manufactured in Nadia and East Burdwan, has gained the GI tag, a matter of pride for the approximately 20,000 Tangail weavers in Bengal.
• Joy for Garad and Korial Weavers: Around 4,000 weavers in Murshidabad district, specifically Mirjapur, Jiaganj, and Islampur, express jubilation over Garad and Korial varieties receiving the coveted GI tag, marking a significant achievement for these traditional products.