Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Assam has added four more treasures to its growing list of Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged products. Four iconic products from Assam — Bihu Pepa, Karbi Anglong Handloom, Bah Silpa (Assamese Bamboo Craft), and Deori Handloom Products — have of- ¿cially received GI certi¿cation. The newly recognised products represent diverse facets of Assam’s cultural landscape.
Bihu Pepa, a traditional wind instrument crafted from buႇalo horn, is an inseparable part of the state’s celebrated Bihu festivities. Karbi Anglong Handloom reÀects the weaving traditions of the Karbi community, while Deori Handloom Products showcase the distinctive textile heritage of the Deori tribe.
Bah Silpa, or Assamese bamboo craft, highlights the centuries-old skill of bamboo artisans whose creations remain integral to daily life and cultural practices across the state. In a post on X, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed the development as a proud moment for the state and a signi¿cant step towards preserving and promoting its rich cultural heritage.
The recognition grants legal protection to these traditional products and acknowledges their unique link to Assam’s cultural identity, craftsmanship and geographical origin. The achievement is also expected to provide a boost to rural livelihoods by enhancing branding, market access and export potential.
More opportunities
Calling it “another shot in the arm” for eႇorts to conserve the state’s heritage, the CM said the GI tags would help safeguard the authenticity of these products while creating greater economic opportunities for artisans and traditional producers.
GI tags are intellectual property rights granted to products that possess qualities, reputation or characteristics essentially attributable to their geographical origin. Such recognition helps prevent misuse of traditional product names and strengthens market con¿dence in their authenticity.
