Vice Chancellor: Expedite work for GIs of traditional crops, animals
Our Correspondent
Palampur, June 2
A virtual meeting of the Geographical Indication Taskforce was held at CSK HP Agriculture University here today. HK Chaudhary, Vice-Chancellor, asked all members of the task force to expedite the work to get geographical indications (GIs) of traditional crops, food items, animal breeds and other products having peculiar characteristics in a particular area.
He said that the Himalayas are a rich treasurer of such resources and it was the duty of the university to explore, identify, conserve and get these registered with the appropriate authority. He cited the examples of some known crops, animals and products known by virtue of their area or quality such as Bharmour rajmah, Karsog kulthi, Chamba chukh, white and multi-flora honey from Chamba and Kangra, Kullu mash, Spiti chharma, Gaddi dog, Chiggu goat, Spiti horses, etc.
He said that there were numerous other crops, vegetables, flowers, and products having specific characteristics and identity due to a particular region like the tasty cucumber of a Baijnath village, ‘jimikand’ in some areas of Bilaspur, barley beer in Spiti, and ginger in some villages of Sirmaur need collection of samples, identification of characters and registration with the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority of India, National Bureau of Plant or Animal Genetic Resources etc.
He said that the university was working to popularise the traditional crop varieties of the state conserved by farmers and the varieties developed by it. He added that scientists should regularly submit projects to the Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology, and Environment for the purpose.
Dr DK Vatsa, Director of Research, detailed the ongoing work and assured the Vice-Chancellor of getting a large number of crops and other products registered expeditiously. Some scientists also gave feedback on their research works on these crops, animals, and food products.
