Purulia’s age-old lac industry is showing renewed signs of revival after the recent granting of Geographical Indication (GI) status to the district’s iconic products.
The recognition has the potential to breathe fresh life into an industry that once formed the backbone of the rural economy of this region in West Bengal.
Purulia, once regarded as the country’s largest exporter of lac products, had witnessed a gradual decline in production and market activity over the decades.
Purulia MP Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato described the development as a major milestone for the district, mentioning that the recognition has the potential to generate substantial economic benefits.
“The local production has recently received a significant boost with the GI tag, which recognises the cultural heritage and traditional expertise of Purulia’s artisans,” Mahato said.
“The region produces a substantial percentage of the state’s total lac yield, with products ranging from rural cooperative production to export markets. We are hopeful that this recognition will create a tremendous socio-economic impact across the region,” he added.
The GI status in the Natural Goods category was secured following an application by the Balarampur Shellac Cluster Shilpa Samabay Samity Limited with the objective of protecting and promoting the district’s traditional rural craft and preserving its unique identity.
Lac cultivation has historically remained one of Purulia’s most important economic activities.
Lac is a natural resin secreted by insects and is widely used in manufacturing shellac and products such as beads, bangles, jewellery, decorative artefacts and several household items.
The district’s major cultivation centres have traditionally been concentrated in Balarampur and Baghmundi blocks, while processing centres and industrial hubs developed in Tulin and Jhalda areas.
Farmers cultivate lac on Kusum, Palash and Kul trees to produce high-quality shellac and related products.