There are more candidates for GI recognition

The GI (Geographical Identification) recognition for the Sundarbans' honey, Munshiganj's patkheer and Narsingdi's latkon comes as highly savouring news to the people. But these were not the only produce and products. Altogether 24 such items with their origins in certain localities spread across the country received the GI tag. The GI certificates were handed over to representatives at a ceremony organised on the occasion of the World Intellectual Property Day 2025 at the Foreign Service Academy.

Of the 24 GI-recognised items, 10 are agricultural and plant produce and the rest have been developed by ingenious local people to set a tradition of their own. Each of the fruits or agricultural produce has its distinct taste and specialty. Narsingdi is home to Latkon but surprisingly it is known as Burmese grape with its scientific name Baccaurea ramiflora. This is injustice to the popular fruit. Why should a fruit from Narsingdi be called Burmese grape? It could well be called Bangla grape.

Then two varieties of litchi have been enlisted for GI recognition---one from Magura and called Hazaripuri litchi; and the other from Dinajpur known as Bedana (pomegranate) litchi. The other fruits to have made the list of GI tag are pineapple from Madhupur, hog plum (aamra) from Barishal, Nak Fajli mango from Naogaon and Gazipur's jackfruit. Koshoreganj's Rataboro paddy and Dhakai Futi Karpas---a special kind of cotton and its seed-plant make this natural kind of produce complete.

Of the 14 products, most are sweetmeat with the exception of gamchha (a kind of thin towel) and lungi (traditional men's skirt) from Sirajganj, Monipuri shari from Sylhet, Katan Shari from Mirpur, Dhaka, Khadi from Kumilla and Kumarkhali's bed sheet.

Then come the savoury sweetmeat items or dairy products such as yoghurt made from buffalo milk in Bhola, Chhanamukhi from Brahmanbaria, Chhanar payes from Sherpur, Cheese from Astogram and Jamurkir sandesh from Mirzapur, Tangail. Together with Patkheer, all these array of traditional products make a strong statement of the Bangalee's inventive minds that went into the development of such mouth-watering foods.

Bangladesh introduced its Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act in 2013. Jamdani Sari was the first product to have received the GI recognition. Twelve years on, a total of 55 goods have received this recognition with the latest 24 this year. However, recognition in the country does not automatically translate into international approval. For example, India received GI recognition for Sundarban's honey earlier but 64 per cent of the forest lies in Bangladesh. Now the controversy and dispute are there similar to the ones over the Jamdani sari. Had Bangladesh moved first, its claim would be considered on a priority basis. Now, if there is no objection within two months to the appeal Bangladesh submitted, the international recognition will be obtained. Otherwise, it would be wiser to hold negotiation with India for a mutual understanding.

The list of the produce and products earning GI stamp certainly indicates that quite a few more are strong candidates for the recognition. Potato round and of reddish colour from Bogura, jam alu (potato) used usually for meshed dish surely deserved GI recognition. If yoghourt varieties from Bogura and Bhola qualify for GI recognition, yoghourt from Gournadi certainly is a prime candidate for this recognition. Gournadi's yoghourt is not only famous for its extraordinary taste but its thick texture also makes it special. The best of the kind would not drop even if the clay pot in which it is fermented is upturned. No other yoghurt compares with this special type still produced by some of the discerning 'moyras' (sweetmeat makers). Similarly Balish misti from Netrokona also deserves GI recognition.

Last but not least, gamchha from Sirajganj may have wider publicity but similar if not better products from Fultala, Khulna and Jhalakathi should make the GI list. Finally, the lungi and cotton shawl made by indigenous people in the hilly districts should also be promoted for GI recognition. 

nilratanhalder2000@yahoo.com