India’s Geographical Indication (GI) Registry, a division of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has recently given the GI tag to ‘Ladakh Sea Buckthorn’. The credit goes to the Department of Industries & Commerce, Ladakh. This acknowledgement comes after previous GI tags like Ladakh Apricot (Raktsey Karpo), Ladakh Pashmina, and Ladakhi Wood Carving. Simultaneously, in Kerala, the Onattukara Vikasana Agency (OVA) is working towards expanding the cultivation of its uniquely GI-tagged Onattukara sesame.
Key Features of the Ladakh Sea Buckthorn
Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae L) is a shrub that yields an orange-yellow edible berry that, despite its sour taste, is rich in vitamins, including Vitamin C. Ladakh Sea Buckthorn dominates in Union Territory Ladakh, contributing to 90% of its production. It’s locally referred to as the ‘Wonder Plant’, “Ladakh Gold”, “Golden Bush” or “Gold Mine”. In India, this plant thrives above the tree line in the Himalayan region, particularly in dry areas such as the cold deserts of Ladakh and Spiti. The plant serves ecological purposes as well, acting as a soil-binding agent which helps curb soil-erosion, reduces siltation in rivers, and aids in the preservation of floral biodiversity.
Fascinating Facts about the Onattukara Sesame
Onattukara sesame is a variety of sesame exclusive to Kerala, India. The OVA intends to extend the area under sesame cultivation from 600 hectares to 2,000 hectares. It is renowned for its health benefits, mainly due to its high antioxidant content which battles free radicals that degrade body cells. The high content of unsaturated fat also makes it a healthy option for heart patients. Traditional Ayurveda practitioners in the region have been using Onattukara sesame oil to treat rheumatism, a term that includes arthritis and related conditions that impact the joints, tendons and muscles, since the 18th century.
Recent UPSC Civil Services Examination Questions on GI Tags
Here are some previous years questions from the UPSC Civil Services Examination that relate to Geographical Indications:
Q1. Which of the following has/have been accorded ‘Geographical Indication’ status? (2015)
Banaras Brocades and Sarees
Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma
Tirupathi Laddu
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (c)
Q2. India enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 in order to comply with the obligations to (2018)
(a) ILO
(b) IMF
(c) UNCTAD
(d) WTO
Ans: (d)
