Tripura eyes GI tag for bamboo-made handicrafts

Agartala (Tripura) [India], May 1 : Endowed with rich and diverse resources of bamboo with traditional usage Tripura is home to 21 species of bamboo out of 130 species available in India.
To protect and preserve the origins of this traditional craftsmanship that is now gradually taking the shape of an organised industry, the Government of Tripura has applied for the Geographical Indication tag for cane craft. Cane is derived from bamboo through different mechanisms.
Tripura produces abundant bamboo and cane which are used to make different types of Handicrafts like chairs, tables, mats, hats, bags, hand fans, containers etc.
The GI tag helps to protect these handicrafts from being imitated and ensures that the consumers receive genuine and high-quality products.
Recently, a total of three products that include, indigenous attires Risha and Rignai and Malabari Pera received GI tag. The few applications that are pending right now include, Tripura Cane Craft, Reang Jewellery, and others.
Lauding the state government's initiatives to give this traditional artistry a recognition, bamboo entrepreneur Manoj Kumar Debnath said, "I have been working in the field of bamboo handicraft for the last 30 years. The initiative of the state government to get GI tag for the cane and bamboo crafts is praiseworthy. Once the GI tag is accorded, the whole world will know about our expertise in this field."
According to Debnath, Tripura-made bamboo handicrafts have received widespread appreciation at the national as well as at the global level.
"The bamboo handicrafts of Tripura are very famous. In India and outside the country everywhere, the Tripura-made products are highly valued. Once the GI tag is accorded, more people will get to know about us and certainly chances are high for the business to grow," said Debnath.
Meanwhile, an expert in bamboo-based product manufacturing Abhinav Kant who is now heading the Bamboo and Cane Development Institute in Tripura opined that GI tagging is important to protect the originality of the products found here.
According to him, the Tripura artisans are well versed in the bamboo weaving work used for basket making, which is unique in the country.
"So far I could understand, bucket products produced here could become an ideal choice for getting the GI tag certification," he added.
"The weaving patterns that are used here by the artisans are unique. If these things get GI tag the importance of Tripura will grow," he said.
Kant also said that a GI tag helps in branding of a particular product which is a part of the culture of a place.