GI TAG - GEOGRAPHY

News:  Andaman and Nicobar seeks GI tag for nicobar hodi boat

What is in the news?

       The Geographical Indications Registry at Guindy, Chennai, has received an application from the Tribal Development Council, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, seeking the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the Nicobari hodi boat.

       This is the first application from the Union Territory seeking a tag for one of its products.

About Hodi Boat:

       The hodi boat is the Nicobari tribe’s traditional craft.

       It is an outrigger canoe, very commonly operated in the Nicobar group of islands.

       The technical skills for building a hodi are based on indigenous knowledge inherited by the nicobarese from their forefathers.

       The hodiis built using either locally available trees or from nearby islands, and its design varies slightly from island to island.

       A 60 to 80 year old tree with a straight trunk or one having a slight incline to one side is preferred.

       Hodis are used for transporting people and goods from one island to another, sending coconuts, fishing and racing purposes.

       The tuhet, a group of families under a headman, consider the hodi an asset. Hodi Races are held between islands and villages.

About GI tag:

       Geographical Indication (GI) is an indication used to identify goods having special characteristics originating from a definite geographical territory.

       The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India.

       It is governed and directed by the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). 

Products:

       Agriculture products

       Handicraft products

       Industrial goods

Validity:

       10 years.

       It can be renewed.

GI registration:

       There is a proper process of registration of GI products which includes filing of application, preliminary scrutiny and examination, show cause notice, publication in the geographical indications journal, opposition to registration, and registration.

       Any association of persons, producers, organization or authority established by or under the law can apply.

       The applicant must represent the interest of the producers.

       The first product in India to be accorded with GI tag was Darjeeling tea in the year 2004-05.