Central Idea

The Geographical Indication Registry has officially granted the GI tag to ‘Ladakh Sea Buckthorn’.
It is the fourth GI tag after Apricot (Raktsey Karpo), Pashmina, and Ladakhi Wood Carving in Ladakh.

About Sea Buckthorn

Sea buckthorn is a plant that grows in Europe and Asia.
In India, it’s found in the Himalayan region, especially in dry places like the cold deserts of Ladakh and Spiti.
This plant produces small orange or yellow berries that are sour but full of vitamins, especially vitamin C.
It can survive really hot and really cold temperatures, which makes it perfect for the cold deserts.
Every part of the plant—berries, leaves, twigs, roots, and thorns—are useful for medicine, food, fuel, and fencing.
It’s also a vital food source for many birds and provides nutritious food for animals like sheep, goats, donkeys, cattle, and camels in the cold desert regions.
It is often called the ‘Wonder Plant,’ ‘Ladakh Gold,’ ‘Golden Bush,’ or ‘Gold Mine’ of the cold deserts.

A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
Nodal Agency: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry
India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 w.e.f. September 2003.
GIs have been defined under Article 22 (1) of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.
The tag stands valid for 10 years.