The Andaman & Nicobar Islands have recently made headlines by submitting an application for a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the Nicobari Hodi craft. This is the first attempt from this Union Territory to secure a GI tag for a product, after the government bestowed a similar tag on Mithila Makhana.
Understanding the Nicobari Hodi
Nicobari Hodi is a traditional craft indigenous to the Nicobari tribe. It refers to an outrigger canoe frequently used in the Nicobar group of islands. The construction skills required to build a hodi are based on local knowledge passed down through generations. These canoes are crafted using trees sourced locally or from nearby islands, and the design may vary slightly depending on the island of origin.
For a hodi to be constructed properly, several factors must be taken into account. For instance, the finished canoe’s length has to be 12 times its width, while the tree trunk needs to be 15 times the width before being used for construction. These hodis serve multiple purposes, including transporting people and goods between islands, sending coconuts, fishing, and racing. For the tuhet, a group of families led by a headman, the hodi is treasured as an asset.
An Overview of Geographical Indication (GI) Tag
A GI tag serves as an identifier for goods possessing unique characteristics that originate from a specific geographical region. Through the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, India seeks to register and better protect geographical indications related to goods. This act is governed and directed by the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
Geographical Indication pertains to Intellectual Property and is mostly associated with agricultural, natural, or manufactured products (handicrafts and industrial goods). Once a product earns this tag, it is legally protected against unauthorized use by others. The tag, valid for 10 years and renewable, boosts the product’s exports and ensures the customer of its authenticity.
The Registration Process for GI Tag
The process for registering a product for a GI tag includes filing an application, preliminary scrutiny and examination, a show-cause notice, publication in the geographical indications journal, opposition to registration, and finally, registration. Associations of persons, producers, organizations, or authorities established by law may apply, provided they represent the interest of the producers. The Geographical Indications Registry, based in Chennai, oversees the administration of GI Goods.
Notable Goods with GI Tags
Several famous Indian goods bear the GI tag. Some examples include Basmati rice, Darjeeling Tea, Chanderi Fabric, Mysore Silk, Kullu Shawl, Kangra Tea, Thanjavur Paintings, Allahabad Surkha, Farrukhabad Prints, Lucknow Zardozi, Kashmir Saffron, and Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving.
Scholarly Questions on GI Status
In previous years, questions related to the GI status have appeared in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. For example, in 2015, a question asked about the GI status of Banaras Brocades and Sarees, Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma, and Tirupathi Laddu. In 2018, a question addressed India’s enactment of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 to comply with WTO obligations. These questions highlight the importance of understanding the concept of Geographical Indication and its implications in India.
