Himalayan Heritage Preserved: Uttarakhand Opens Its First Dedicated GI Products Gallery in Haldwani
In a landmark step toward celebrating and preserving the distinct cultural and agricultural legacy of the Himalayas, Uttarakhand has officially opened its first dedicated Geographical Indication (GI) Products Gallery. Located at the Forest Training Academy (FTA) in Haldwani, this unique repository brings together the state’s prized farm produce, ancient crafts, and vibrant indigenous heritage under one roof.
The initiative is designed to serve as an educational and cultural bridge. According to Academy Director Sanjiv Chaturvedi, the gallery will familiarize trainees, researchers, government officials, and everyday visitors with Uttarakhand’s rich biodiversity and centuries-old artisanal history.
A Three-Month Odyssey to the Peaks
Creating the gallery was no small feat. It required a meticulous three-month-long sourcing process to collect authentic, GI-tagged items from some of the most remote, high-altitude pockets of the state.
A major logistical hurdle was displaying perishable agricultural items without letting them spoil.
”Perishable products such as bedu (Himalayan wild fig), Ramnagar litchi, and Ramgarh peach had to be preserved using special scientific methods so that they could be kept on display for long periods,” explained Director Sanjiv Chaturvedi.
Inside the Gallery: Agricultural and Artisanal Treasures
Uttarakhand holds more than 30 GI-tagged products spanning agricultural goods, hand-crafted textiles, traditional metalwork, and organic foods. The state notably made history in December 2023 by securing a record-breaking 18 GI tags in a single day, cementing its place as a powerhouse of indigenous heritage.
The Haldwani gallery showcases these remarkable treasures across two primary categories:
1. Distinctive Himalayan Agriculture & Foods
The agricultural exhibits highlight crops that have adapted to the state’s extreme weather and high altitudes over generations:
- Munsiyari White Rajma: A highly nutritious, soft-textured kidney bean grown in the high-alpine valleys.
- Uttarakhand Kala Bhat: A nutrient-dense, traditional variety of black soybean that serves as a staple of Kumaoni winter diets.
- Almora Lakhori Chilli: A small, highly pungent yellow chilli variety prized for its unique flavor profile.
- Berinag Tea & Tejpatta: Highly aromatic Indian bay leaves alongside hand-compressed local teas.
- Buransh Squash: Prepared from the antioxidant-rich crimson flowers of the Rhododendron arboreum tree.