PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Haldwani
In a significant initiative to preserve and promote Uttarakhand’s unique heritage, the state’s first Geographical Indication (GI) Products Gallery has come up at the Uttarakhand Forest Training Academy (UKFTA) in Haldwani.
Informing this, UKFTA’s director Sanjiv Chaturvedi said that the gallery has been opened to showcase the Himalayan state’s rich agro-biodiversity, traditional handicrafts and cultural heritage while raising awareness among trainees, visitors and dignitaries. “The collection process took nearly three months, with several products sourced from remote parts of Uttarakhand. Perishable items such as Bedu, Ramnagar litchi and Ramgarh peach were specially preserved for display,” he added.
Notably, Uttarakhand currently has more than 30 GI-tagged products, spanning agriculture, handicrafts, food products and manufactured goods. Moreover, the state secured 18 GI tags in a single day in December 2023, one of the highest such recognitions at a time.
The gallery features a wide range of GI-certified products, including Tejpat (Indian Bay Leaf), Munsiyari White Rajma, Kumaon Chyura Oil, Almora Lakhori Chilli, Berinag Tea and Uttarakhand Kala Bhat (Black Soybean). Traditional crafts on display include Aipan art, Chamoli wooden Ramman masks, Tamta copperware and Ringal bamboo craft.
Visitors can also explore products such as Nainital Candles and Buransh (Rhododendron) squash, both closely associated with Uttarakhand’s cultural identity and natural wealth.
“The gallery highlights the importance of GI certification in protecting the authenticity of regional products, strengthening local livelihoods and promoting sustainable economic development while preserving the state’s rich cultural legacy,” Chaturvedi stated.
