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Youth seeks to preserve Badlapur jamun with GI tag.
May 23, 2022

MUMBAI: With fast-paced urbanisation resulting in the replacement of local and indigenous varieties of fruits with exotic superfoods, efforts are being made to conserve the local ‘Badlapur jamun’ variety of the highly nutritious summer fruit. The fruit is found in and around Badlapur, a town 80km from Mumbai.

To bring value to the fast-depleting Badlapur jamun trees, a young professional, Aditya Gole (33), who was born and brought up in Badlapur, has sought a geographical indication (GI) tag for the fruit. The proposal, which was seconded by the Thane collectorate, was sent to the commerce ministry on Friday on behalf of the Jamun Parisamvardhan and Samuday Vikas Charitable Trust set up by Gole.

Gole said that as per ad hoc estimates the number of jamun trees in the region has reduced by nearly 60%-70% over the last few years due to rampant deforestation, which has also affected the production of the fruit. 'Our aim is to conserve and create awareness about this variety of jamun, which is not only nutritious but its health benefits too are well-founded.

Tribals from the Katkari and Thakar communities from the region are largely engaged in plucking and sale of the fruit, which typically is available for only one month between May and June,' said Gole, who is seeking funds from the government to carry out a plantation drive in Badlapur.

The jamun from the region is distinct from the one in other regions, mainly in its shape and size. The laterite soil in the region makes its rich in iron.

The seeds are used to make medicine which helps in regulating blood sugar. The leaves are used for treatment of jaundice, says the proposal. It is also said that Lord Ram subsisted on jamun fruit during his 14 years of exile. 'We are looking to increase the importance of the Badlapur jamun variety, which will not only help the tribals but also boost plantation of the local and indigenous trees,' said Gole.

He said that there is threat from jamun varieties from Gujarat and other parts of the state, which sell them under the Badlapur jamun tag.

The process of filing for a GI tag was initiated last year and took nearly nine months for collection of supporting papers and scientific analysis.

'The Badlapur jamun variety deserves a GI tag because of the distinct characters of the fruit from the region. Awarding GI tag to this fruit will also help the socio-economic condition of the tribal communities engaged in production of the fruit,' said advocate Ganesh Hingmire, who has filed the proposal on behalf of the trust set up by Gole.

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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