Mhathung Yanthan speaking at the programme in Kohima on
Friday.
KOHIMA — Nagaland
has a lot of potential for Geographical Indication (GI) filing, as it is very
rich in traditional heritage as well as biodiversity, but the biggest challenge
is the absence of written records and proper documentation, leading to the loss
of history and dilution of history.
This was stated by Nesatalu Hiese, Mission Director and
Scientist 'D' at Nagaland Science Mission and NASTEC, department of Science and
Technology, during the inaugural programme of the National Intellectual
Property (IP) Yatra Nagaland 2025 on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) on
Friday in Kohima.
The two-day event is being organised by Investment and
Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) Intellectual Property Facilitation
Centre in collaboration with Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises,
and Patent Information Centre, Nagaland Science and Technology Council, and the
department of Science and Technology.
According to Hiese, there have been many instances of
misappropriation of Naga indigenous traditional knowledge and biopiracy. She
underscored that intellectual property (IP) protection plays a significant role
today in gaining an advantageous position in the technological world.
She said that three tribes’ textiles, namely Sumi, Angami
and Ao, have been filed by outsiders, and this became a big concern; therefore,
they created awareness among the apex bodies of those tribes, and with their
permission, they have objected to it and registered the GI of those three
recently.
The mission director informed that at present there are two
GI infringement cases going on in the state.
She also highlighted the history of Nagaland Science and
Technology Council, which was established in 1999 to fulfil the mandate of the
department to carry out research and development activities and to create a
scientific temper in the state.
She further highlighted the activities and achievements of
Patent Information Centre (PIC) in the state, stating that it has been
continuously creating awareness through state-level workshops, national
workshops, and seminars.
Hiese informed that they are in a process of drafting an IP
policy for Nagaland.
Also, she noted that in some villages, most of the
storytellers are no more, as the old people are dying. She lamented that along
with the death of old people, even the textile ornaments are buried along with
them, and so the originals are getting lost.
She also stressed that getting a GI tag is not so difficult,
but achieving the commercialisation level post-GI tagging needs a lot of work.
Nagas, she said, are lagging there. She suggested creating IP centres at the
district level, citing that PIC is not able to cater to all the districts.
Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor for Agriculture, said that talent
and creativity alone are not enough and protecting intellectual assets is
equally important.
He highlighted that the Nagaland State Biodiversity Board
has been documenting indigenous traditional knowledge through People's
Biodiversity Registers (PBRS), ensuring future generations inherit and benefit
from the state’s biodiversity.
Talking about empowering MSMEs, farmers, and local
entrepreneurs, he asserted that the MSME sector is the backbone of Nagaland's
economy, providing employment and sustaining livelihoods.
He opined that many entrepreneurs and farmers are unaware of
how to leverage IPR for brand protection, business expansion, and preventing
imitation.
Yanthan asserted that a strong IPR framework will help
farmers and agripreneurs secure better market access, attract premium pricing,
and explore export opportunities.
The advisor also stated that Naga hand-woven textiles,
bamboo crafts, wood carvings, and traditional jewellery are admired worldwide and
asserted that trademarks and copyrights can prevent cheap imitations and ensure
that Naga artisans receive financial benefits and due recognition.
Challenges in Nagaland
Yanthan stated that despite its potential, Nagaland faces
key challenges in implementing intellectual property rights effectively. Citing
some of the challenges, he said that there is limited awareness among farmers,
artisans, and entrepreneurs about IPR benefits.
He also stressed that there is a lack of legal expertise and
financial resources to file patents or GI registrations, as well as the threat
of biopiracy, where external entities claim rights over indigenous knowledge
without fair compensation.
To address these challenges, he asserted that there is a
need to enhance awareness by organising training programmes for policymakers,
researchers, students, farmers, and artisans on the importance of IPR.
He also suggested that there is a need to set up legal and
financial support systems.
