Leh: In a moment of great pride for the union territory, the Pashmina wool of Ladakh and Ladakh wood carving have been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tags, even as an elated Lieutenant Governor Brigadier B D Mishra has congratulated the people of Ladakh on the occasion.
These are the third GI tag bagged by Ladakh in the last 4 months. In December last year, the government granted GI tag for Raktsey Karpo apricot of the union territory.
The Geographical Indications is a form of intellectual property right that identifies goods originating from a specific geographical location and having distinct nature, quality and characteristics linked to that location.
The process for GI Tagging of these products was started by NABARD in consultation with and support from the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom in December 2020 and earlier this year, the products were registered with the GI Registry Chennai.
An ecstatic Lieutenant Governor Brigadier B D Mishra congratulated the people of Ladakh for the grant of the GI tags for the Pashmina Wool of Ladakh and Wood carving of Ladakh.
“My heartiest congratulations to the people of Ladakh as our Pashmina has now been registered as the GI tagged wool of Ladakh- “Pashmina Wool of Ladakh”,” said the LG.
Noting that Pashmina is synonymous to Ladakh, the LG said that the GI tag would benefit the real breeders in Changthang, besides the artisans and entrepreneurs.
“Let’s ensure that this real asset defining the identity of Ladakh flourishes,” he said..
In addition to the Ladakh Pashmina, the famous art of Wood Carving of Ladakh also acquired the GI Tag, the LG informed.
“Congratulations to the generations of artisans who have carried forward this unique art to help it gain the much deserved international recognition,” said the LG.
Expressing his happiness, Chairman and CEC LAHDC Leh, Tashi Gyalson congratulated the people of Ladakh.
“The GI tag is a recognition of the unique quality and characteristics of Pashmina wool produced in Ladakh. It will not only protect the traditional heritage of the region but also help in enhancing the marketability and branding of Pashmina wool of Ladakh. This GI tag will further benefit thousands of people associated with the Pashmina Wool industry in the region,” said the CEC.
On the GI Tag to Ladakh’s Wood Carving, the CEC said, “This recognition will not only protect the craft from unauthorised use but also promote it on a global scale. I congratulate the people of Ladakh for this significant achievement, and I am confident that this recognition will boost the morale of the artisans who have been the custodians of this art form and motivate them to continue preserving and promoting Ladakh’s cultural heritage.”
Gyalson informed that LAHDC Leh has been constantly following up on the matter with the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, GoI, and acknowledged the tireless efforts of the UT Administration Ladakh, especially the Department of Industries and Commerce, in getting this prestigious tag for the region.
It may be mentioned that GI Tag grants legal protection to the original producers within the original geographical area with recognition, prevents unauthorized use of registered Geographical Indication goods by third parties, boosts exports and promotes the brand at International level, promotes economic prosperity of producers and related stakeholders including contribution in GDP of the country.
Only an authorized user has the exclusive right to use the Geographical Indication in relation to goods in respect of which it is registered. Due to this, no person can copy it from beyond the geographical area and it, therefore, prevents misuse of the original product.
