Topic 1: GI Tags received by Products

Recently following products have received GI Tags by the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai.

1. Cuttack Rupa Tarakasi:

• The famous Cuttack Rupa Tarakasi (Silver Filigree) has been given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai.
• Filigree has been traditionally associated with fine craftsmanship and luxurious design in classical jewellery.

What is the historical link of Cuttack Tarakasi with that to Indonesian Filigree?

• Archaeological evidence suggest that filigree was incorporated into jewellery as early as 3500 BCE in Mesopotamia where it is practiced even today as Telkari work.
• According to historians, there is every possibility that the Tarakasi work reached Cuttack from Persia through Indonesia some 500 years ago by sea trade. The argument is based on similar workmanship seen in both Cuttack and Indonesia.
• There are multiple pieces of evidence that mention the exchange of jewellery and gems between Kalinga and Indonesia to the extent that a potential origin source of Silver Filigree in Odisha might be Indonesia. Such similarities have been drawn across multiple crafts that can be found in Indonesia and Odisha.

 

2. Banglar Muslin:

• The Banglar muslin is one of the popular traditional handloom craft of Bengal. This finest sort of muslin is made of cotton, which are spun to create threads that maintained tensile strength at counts (above 300 counts and up to 600 counts) i.e., higher than any other cotton products.

3. Narasapur Crochet Lace Product:

• Narsapur in West Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh, which is known for crochet skills, has received global acclaim for its intricate craftsmanship, unique designs and good quality crochet craft was brought by missionaries to Narcentre for intricate handmade crochet craft was brought by missionaries to Narsapur, and now Narsapur is a strong centre for intricate handmade crocheted lace work.
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4. Ratlam Riyawan Lahsun (Garlic):

• It’s a garlic variety named after Riyawan village in Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh also bagged the GI tag. It renowned for its unique quality and high yield, with each bulb containing five to six cloves. Known for its pungent and robust flavour, this garlic variety also boasts a higher oil content compared to others.

 

5. Ambaji White Marble:

• It is formed when limestone is re-crystallised under the earth’s crust due to intense pressure and heat. It belongs to Gujarat.

6. Tripura Risa Textile:

• Risa, a handwoven cloth worn by the indigenous communities of Tripura, has got the geographical indication (GI) tag. It is common in all festivals and social gatherings of the tribes, is used as a headgear, a stole or an upper garment.

 

7. Hyderabad Lac Bangles:

• Hyderabad lac bangles are well-known in the local and international market due to the skill and creativity of the craftsmen in the region applied in the making of the lacquered stone-studded bangles,” said the association. The craft originated 500 years ago during Mughal period.

8. Majuli Mask of Assam:

• Majuli mask of Assam are made in different variety and sizes as they are mainly divided into different categories — ‘Mukha bhaona’ face mask covers the face, ‘Lotokoi’ hanging mask which is bigger in size extends to the chest and, ‘Cho Mukha’ huge mask is a head and body mask.

 

9. Kutch rogan craft:

• The word rogan comes from a Persian word and means ‘oil-based’. Rogan painting involves the use of a thick paste which is prepared by boiling the oil of safflower, caster or linseed and pouring it into water. This paste is mixed with chalk colour pigment and a binding agent to form a thick dye.
• The painting on the cloth is done using a stick,rod or a metal block. Geometric and floral designs are the norm. Red, blue and yellow are the usual colours that are employed. Rogan printing is used for decorating wall hangings, table-cloth, curtains, sarees and skirt borders.

10. Assam Majuli Manuscript Painting:

• The unique manuscript paintings in Majuli mainly depict stories from the Hindu mythological epics Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Bhagavata Purana. These paintings primarily focus on events related to Lord Krishna.

 

Topic 2: Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary

 

Why in news?

• In a rare sighting, Nilgiri Tahr, endemic to the Nilgiri hills and the southern portion of the Western and Eastern Ghats, has been found in Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary for the first time.

What makes Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary unique?

• Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Thrissur district. Spread across 85 sq. km. on the western slopes of the Nelliyampathi hills.
• The sanctuary consists of the watershed areas of Kurumali River and Mupilam River.
• The forests here are tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous. The sanctuary is home to a wide variety of flora and all major species of fauna of the southern side of the Western Ghats are well represented here.
• The local Malaya tribal communities organise ecotourism programs inside the sanctuary.

 

What is so unique about Nilgiri Tahr?

• Among 12 other ungulate (hoofed mammal) species found in India, the Nilgiri Tahr is the only mountain dweller found in southern India.
• The shy, elusive animal normally prefers to live in the high-altitude (1,100 to 2,695 metres) mountainous grasslands and rocky cliffs in the southern Western Ghats.

 

What is its IUCN status and what’s the cause of their declining population?

• The mountain goat is categorized under the endangered category due to decline in its natural habitats, fragmentation, hunting pressure, climate change and increased human activities.
• Total population of the Tahr does not exceed 2,000 at present and a conservative estimate would place the numbers within the 1,800-2,000 range (IUCN). Populations of these animals are small and isolated, making them vulnerable to local extinction.