GI Tag expected for Manipur’s Tamenglong Orange

Tamenglong Orange / Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) is a type of orange found in the Dailong village in the Tamenglong district of Manipur. This Indian wild orange was earlier reported to be found only in Nokrek Biosphere Reserve in the State of Meghalaya. It is a perennial evergreen of the Rutaceae family and subtropical in distribution. According to researchers, this Indian wild orange is the most primitive ancestor to citrus fruits cultivated all over the world! An application for obtaining the Geographical Indication Tag for the Tamenglong Orange was made by the Manipur Organic Mission Agency (“MOMA”). The Geographical Indication (GI) application has been advertised and it will soon get its GI certificate.

Locally, Tamenglong Orange is called Biurengthai. It is rich in vitamins A, B, C, and phosphorus. It is consumed fresh and is also used in making juices, jams, squashes, syrups, marmalade, wines, or extracting essential oils, pectin, and other such products. It is juicy and weighs around 90-110 g, has a loose skinned, smooth surface, TSS content (9-14 degrees Brix) with well-blended sweetness, and acidic taste. Tamenglong Oranges are available during the months of October to February.

Source- https://nenow.in/north-east-news/manipur/manipur-tamenglong-gears-up-to-host-orange-festival.html

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Since 2001, the Tamenglong District of Manipur, which is the only suitable location in Manipur to cultivate the oranges on a large scale, celebrates the Orange Festival every December. In 2013, the then Governor of Manipur declared the 9th of December as the day of the Orange Festival. The main objective of the festival is to promote the interests of the orange growers in the District.

Other GI Applications by MOMA: Last year, MOMA applied for the GI Tags for Tamenglong Orange, Sirarakhong Hathei, Shirui Lily of Ukhrul District, and Black Cherry of Senapati District.

Source http://www.epao.net/epGallery.asp?id=9&src=Food/Chilli20160825_2

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Out of these, Sirarakhong Hathei, from the Sirarakhong village, a long chilly variety having a unique taste and colour, has already been approved for GI Tag. However, the application for Shirui Lily was rejected following changes in GI guidelines.

Further, ‘Chakhao’, the Manipuri black, scented glutinous rice and Kachai Lemon (Citrus Jambheri Lush) of the Kachai village of the Ukhrul District, a unique lemon variety which contains high ascorbic acid, have been accorded with their GI registration tags.