Itanagar: Three products indigenous to the Northeast Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh have been granted geographical indication (GI) tags due to the efforts of the state government and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said he was “delighted” to share that adi kekir, a form a ginger, handmade carpets made by Tibetan settlers in the state, and wooden craft of the Wancho tribe have been granted GI tags.

Adi kekir, primarily grown in the East Siang, Siang, and Upper Siang districts, is known for its taste and size.

“Truly an acknowledgment of the rich cultural heritage and skilled craftsmanship of our state”, Khandu wrote in his post. “Let's celebrate and promote our unique traditions”, he added.

With the latest addition, Arunachal Pradesh now has a total of 8 indigenous products recognised by GI tags. Taking to X, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said this latest development elevates “the significance of [Arunachal Pradesh’s] rich culture at a global scale.”

“We’ll continue to preserve and promote our diverse range of indigenous commodities and ensure that our local artisans, farmers, and entrepreneurs benefit from such recognitions”, he added in his post. Mein also thanked Rajani Kant, the state’s GI expert, for making the accomplishment possible.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) defines a GI as a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

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