Jharkhand has significantly expanded its footprint in the Geographical Indication (GI) landscape, with 11 more traditional products from the state securing GI tags, taking the total number of GI-recognised products from one in 2019 to 12.
The newly recognised products include Kuchai silk sarees and fabrics, Bhagaiya sarees and fabrics, Dumka chadar, Badoni puppets, Panchhi-Parhan sarees and fabrics, Tasar silk sarees and fabrics, Dhokra craft, tribal jewellery, bamboo crafts, Kesariya Kalakand, Benam and Jadupatua paintings. Official notifications are expected to be issued shortly.
Empowering Rural Economy: Jharcraft Shields Indigenous Craftsmanship via IPR
The development marks a major boost for efforts to protect Jharkhand’s indigenous crafts, textiles, art forms and traditional products through legal recognition while enhancing their marketability in India and abroad. A substantial share of the latest GI registrations has been facilitated by Jharcraft and the Chief Minister’s Micro and Cottage Enterprise Development Board under the state Industries Department.
Among the notable achievements is the GI registration of Jharkhand’s Tasar silk products, tribal jewellery and bamboo crafts, sectors that support thousands of artisans and traditional craft communities. Officials said the GI tags would strengthen product authenticity, prevent imitation and improve branding opportunities, potentially opening new domestic and export markets for local producers.
Matter of Immense Pride: CM Hemant Soren Hails Global Recognition
Chief Minister Hemant Soren welcomed the development in a post on X, saying the recognition was a matter of immense pride for Jharkhand and a significant step towards giving global recognition to the state’s rich cultural heritage, traditional arts, handicrafts and indigenous products.He said the GI tags honour the skill, hard work and traditional knowledge of artisans, weavers, craftsmen, farmers and tribal communities, while providing legal protection and creating new opportunities in national and international markets. Until recently, Sohrai and Khovar paintings were the state’s lone GI-tagged products.
The latest additions reflect a concerted push by the government since 2019 to secure intellectual property protection for Jharkhand’s cultural and traditional heritage. The state is also pursuing GI registration for several other products, including Mandar, Pyatkar paintings, Nimucha or Karni shawls, lac bangles, Deoghar peda, ragi, rugda, dhuska, Kusumi lac, sal seeds, mahua flowers and karanj seeds.
Officials said the ongoing GI initiative is aimed at preserving traditional knowledge systems while creating new economic opportunities for artisans, weavers, farmers and forest-based communities across Jharkhand.
