Bhubaneswar: Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha under Rule 377 on Friday, Koraput MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka urged the Union Government to grant Geographical Indication (GI) tag recognition to several iconic culinary and tribal products of Odisha, underscoring their cultural significance and livelihood potential.
In his submission titled “Need for GI Tag Recognition for Odisha’s Iconic Culinary & Tribal Heritage,” Ulaka highlighted that Odisha’s rich food traditions, deeply rooted in community practices and tribal knowledge systems, continue to thrive despite lacking formal intellectual property protection.
He drew attention to Chhenagaja, one of Odisha’s most celebrated traditional sweets, noting that its distinct texture and taste are the result of generations of meticulous craftsmanship. Stressing the need for safeguarding authenticity, he said GI recognition would help preserve its originality against imitation.
The MP also cited Dahibara Aloodum, Cuttack’s legendary street delicacy, describing it as more than just food but a cultural emotion for Odias. GI tagging, he said, would ensure its traditional preparation methods remain intact.
Ulaka further advocated for GI status for Sara Papudi, a traditional rural sweet, and Sarsatia, a rare tribal delicacy prepared using forest produce. He emphasized that GI protection would help safeguard these fragile culinary traditions that are closely linked to indigenous knowledge and forest-based livelihoods.
Highlighting Chhena Jhilli, the signature sweet of Nimapada, Ulaka said its renowned melt-in-the-mouth flavour deserves formal recognition to protect it from commercial dilution.
Calling Pakhala Bhata the “soul food of Odisha,” the MP asserted that GI recognition is essential to secure its cultural ownership and preserve its traditional form, which is central to the state’s identity.
He also made a strong case for Koraput Coffee, grown organically by tribal farmers in the Eastern Ghats. With the product gaining global recognition, Ulaka said GI tagging would ensure fair income for tribal cultivators while strengthening branding and market access.
“These are not merely food items but living legacies of communities, artisans, and tribal farmers,” Ulaka stated, urging the government to initiate a time-bound GI facilitation process. He also called for institutional support to local producer groups and tribal cooperatives to help them benefit directly from GI recognition.
Concluding his appeal, the Koraput MP said that securing GI tags for Odisha’s iconic flavours would not only protect authenticity and boost livelihoods but also enhance the state’s cultural standing at the national level.
