GI Recognition for Narasapur crochet lace craft

The famed Narasapur crochet lace craft has received the Geographical Indications (GI) tag, giving a new lease of life to the dying craft in the Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh.

The Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry registered the craft in the Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) on March 1.

The craft is geographically limited to 19 mandals in West Godavari and Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Konaseema districts in the Godavari region.

Narsapur and Palacole are the major trade points for lace products in West Godavari district.

Nearly 15,000 women are directly involved in the craft, producing three categories of products made of lace — garments, home furnishings and accessories.