Gir Kesar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mangifera 'Gir Kesar' |
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'Kesar' variety of mango
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| Genus | Mangifera |
| Species | Mangifera indica |
| Cultivar | 'Gir Kesar' |
| Origin | India |
The Gir Kesar mango, also known simply as Kesar, is a special type of mango. It grows in the foothills of Girnar in Gujarat, a state in western India. This mango is famous for its bright orange flesh. In 2011, it received a special status called a geographical indication. This means only mangoes from this specific area can be called "Gir Kesar." The biggest market for these mangoes is in Talala Gir, which is near the Gir National Park.
History of the Kesar Mango
The Kesar mango was first grown in 1931. A person named Junagadh Wazir Sale Bhai planted it in a place called Vanthali. Later, about 75 young mango trees were planted near the Girnar hills. This was at the Junagadh Laal Dori farm.
The mango got its name "Kesar" in 1934. The Nawab of Junagadh, Muhammad Mahabat Khan III, saw the fruit's orange pulp. He exclaimed, "This is Kesar!" In Gujarati and Hindi, "kesar" means saffron. Saffron is a spice known for its beautiful orange color.
Where Kesar Mangoes Grow
Kesar mangoes are grown in a large area in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. This includes the Junagadh and Amreli districts. Farmers grow these mangoes on about 20,000 hectares of land. They produce around two lakh tonnes of mangoes each year.
However, only mangoes grown near the Gir sanctuary are officially called "Gir Kesar mangoes." This makes them very special.
Farmers usually harvest Kesar mangoes in April and May. They pick them when they are green but mature. The growing season for these mangoes starts around October, after the monsoon rains. The Kesar variety is one of the most sought-after and expensive types of mangoes.
What is a Geographical Indication?
A geographical indication (GI) tag is like a special label. It shows that a product comes from a certain place. It also means the product has qualities or a reputation because of where it comes from. The Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation (GAIC) Ltd wanted the Gir Kesar mango to get this special tag.
The Junagadh Agricultural University applied for the tag in 2010. In 2011, the fruit was officially given the GI tag. This happened at the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai. This tag made the name "Gir Kesar" unique to mangoes grown in that specific region.
The Gir Kesar mango became the first farm product from Gujarat to get a GI tag. It was also the second mango variety in India to receive this honor. The first was the Dasheri mango from Uttar Pradesh.
