Geographical Indication (GI) and Market Advantage for Indian Sundarban's Wild Honey: A Catalyst for Regional Entrepreneurship and Development

Abstract The Sundarbans is a unique mangrove ecosystem shared by both the economies of India and Bangladesh; it supports honey collection as a conventional livelihood essential to the local economy and cultural heritage. While both regions share similar environmental conditions, notable differences exist in honey collection practices, economic dependencies, and market structures. In West Bengal, India's Geographical Indication (GI) status for Sundarbans honey received in January 2024 has enhanced its market value and demand, giving local honey a formal recognition that protects its identity and links it to regional qualities. But in Bangladesh, Sundarban honey lacks GI status, which impedes its prominence and potential worth in local and global markets. This variation in GI acknowledgment presents a comparative advantage to India enhancing its potential to trade, thereby providing unique opportunities for local honey collectors called “Moules” as well as the governmental organizations,private honey sellers, Co-operative etc. By analyzing secondary data on honey production volumes, this study compares critical economic and environmental factors influencing honey collection in each country. The findings aim to deepen understanding of how traditional practices and modern market mechanisms like GI certification affect honey-collecting communities' sustainability and economic resilience in both Sundarbans. Apart from this, the paper has adopted a theoretical approach to analyze whether the GI tag of India provides a comparative advantage over Bangladesh.

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