A file picture of muga outfits on display

Guwahati, April 24: The Assam government has filed an application for getting Geographical Indications (GI) for muga cultivation in order to protect it.

The application has been filed by the Assam Science, Technology and Environment Council (Astec) which has been working on the preparation of Geographical Indications for muga.

Director of Astec, A.K. Baruwa, said a few days back, the application was filed through the Technology Information Forecasting Assessment Council (TIFAC) to the Registrar of Geographical Indications, Chennai.

Baruwa said supporting documents like proof of historical evidence of muga cultivation which have been sourced through writings in various books on Assam have been given. Kautilya?s Arthashastra and History of Assam by Edward Gait have been referred to.

Baruwa said a map of Assam showing areas of muga cultivation has been given. ?A lot of research was done by consulting experts so that all aspects of muga cultivation are provided to the authorities,? Baruwa said.

?It was important to take the initiative and one will have to wait to see the result,? Baruwa added. The organisation also has a patent information centre through which it gets updated on various products being patented.

Muga silk is a traditional product of Assam. It is popular for its natural golden colour, glossy fine texture and durability.

Muga is obtained from a semi-domesticated multi-voltine silkworm, Antheraea Assamensis. Geographical Indication is used to identify agricultural, natural or manufactured goods produced in the said area and should have special qualities or characteristics or popularity, based on climatic or production characteristics unique to the geographical location.

Under the agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, other countries are under no obligation to extend protection unless a Geographical Indication is protected in the country of its origin.

India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of the Goods Registration and Protection Act, 1999 which came into force with effect from September 15, 2003. The act is implemented by the controller general of Patents, Designs and Trademarks who is also the registrar of Geographical Indications.

The benefits of registration by GI will prevent its unauthorised use by others and enable it to seek legal protection in other countries under the World Trade Organisation.