Betel Leaf is often called as Green Gold of India. It is known as Vettila. Tirur Vettila from Kerala has obtained GI status. Tirur Vettila Ulpadaka Sangama from Chembra (Tirur) applied for registering Tirur Betel Leaf under Application No. 641. The application was made in connection with the betel leaf. The product is described under class 31. The main cultivars of betel vine are Puthukodi and Nadan.
The registration of Geographical Indication (GI) longs for a period of ten years. It can be renewed. GI is a public property belonging to the producers of the concerned goods. It is not a subject matter of transmission, assignment, pledge and mortgage. GI is used to identify goods having special characteristics originating from the different geographical territory.
Malappuram district is well known for betel leaf cultivation. Tirur, Tahir, Tirurangadi, Kuttippuram, Malappuram and Vengara are the block Panchayats in Malappuram District famous for the cultivation of Tirur betel leaf.
Puthukodi have maximum leaf weight per unit area and optimum leaf parameters and have more acceptance and price in the market. Nadancultivar is mainly cultivated as an intercrop in coconut and is Canute trees which support betel vine to grow. This system is known as Ottakodi. Puthukodi travels abroad whereas Nadan is sold in local markets.
Betel leaves possess very high antioxidant properties in some types. It is more energy booster than that of tea. The antioxidant properties are correlated with different biological activities like antidiabetic, antistroke and anticancer properties. The extracts of the leaf are helpful for back pain and muscular pain. Tirur Vettila is taken to Kottakkal Aryavaidyasala to use in Ayurvedic medicines. In traditional medicine system, it is used against fever, eye disease and digestive problems. Susrutha the ancient Ayurvedic practitioner recommended betel leaf for enhancing the sweetness of sound. That's the reason for chewing pan by classical singers. In Hindu religion thamboolam, alias betel leaf is offered to Hindu deities in the form of prasad. Betel Leaf is a very auspicious element of our Indian culture.
Malappuram is on top of the hills. The Malayalam Language originated from here. Mamamkam Festival is famous in Tirur as it is celebrated in Thirunavaya. This festival was a great trade fair from the Sangam period where traders from all over the world came through Ponnani Port by ships and barges.
Kerala District Gazetteers, A History of Kerala, Aghila Vighnanakosam and many other books depicted the betel leaf culture in Tirur of Malappuram. In a history book, it has mentioned that Vasco da Gama and Marco Polo stated about the prevalence of betel leaf in Tirur. The application for registration was made on December 2018 and it got certified on August 14 2019, by Government of India under the GI Act.
To visit, Trademarkclick.com, Click Here
Picture Source :
