Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The unusually long tamarind, stone-like jowar and a traditional chain made of shells found only in parts of Marathwada are the latest additions to the list of the items granted Geographical Indication (GI) tag in the country. Also, the the beautiful shaadu (clay) Ganesh idols from Pen in coastal Raigad district have also been given the unique tag. Overall, six items from Marathwada, including the Panchincholi tamarind, Borsuri tur dal and Dagdi jowar have been awarded the GI tag. Panchincholi tamarind, Borsuri Tur Dal and Kasti coriander are found in Latur district of Marathwada, while Kunthalgiri Khoya and Kawdi mal are from Dharashiv district and Dagdi jowar has roots in Jalna district.The office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM), commonly known as the Indian Patent Office, has announced the GI award to these items in its latest journals. The Ganesh idols from Pen share the honour with the Badlapur jamun (Indian blackberry) from Thane district and Bahadoli jamun from Palghar district. Ganesh Hingmire, an expert in Intellectual Property (IP) and copyrights, who was instrumental in getting the GI tag for these items, said the unique identity for these agricultural and non-agricultural items would increase the demand for these products in the domestic and international markets. The GI tag will help the local communities associated with these items reap more financial benefits. These products from lesser known villages and places find a place in the world due to the tag, he said.Panchincholi village in Nilanga taluka of Latur district has a group of very old tamarind trees that bear unusually long tamarinds. In the same taluka, Borsuri has a cultivation belt of tur dal with unique nutritional composition and great demand from Delhi and Mumbai. Kasti village from Ausa taluka in the same district grows a special variety of coriander that is known for its high aroma. Kawdi mal is a chain of 64 white natural shells carried by devotees visiting the Tuljabhavani temple at Tuljapur in Dharashiv district.The district also has a place named Kunthalgiri in Vashi taluka, which has several establishments engaged in the traditional business of khoya production. Known for its purity, this khoya is in much demand across Maharashtra and different parts of the country.The Jalna district witnesses cultivation of a variety of jowar (sorghum) known for its relatively tougher grains. Known for its rich nutritional value, this variety is named as Dagdi (stone-like) jowar due to its peculiar characteristics. Hingmire said a range of proofs and pieces of evidence related to the entire history, geography and scientific importance of the items was compiled before presenting each case for the GI tag. Farmers leader Govind Joshi of Shetkari Sanghatana Nyas said the GI tag for traditional agricultural and non-agricultural rural products could give impetus to the locals. Maharashtra has vast diversity and has several traditional items that can be covered under the GI tag, he said.

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