Locals to have rights on Mahanandi

Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
6th Nov 2008
River water with healing qualities already being sold by temple authorities
The local communi ty in Nallamala Hills will soon have exclusive rights on Mahanandi water which has curative qualities.
It will also become a specialised product like Darjeeling Tea, Kondapally toys and Kancheepuram Silk.
The Mahanandi Biodiver sity Committee, headed by the village sarpanch, Mr G. Thimma Reddy, has resolved that the water is a unique resource of the area, and the Andhra Pradesh Bio Diversity Board is trying to include it in the Geographical Indications Registry.
Products specific to a geographical region can be registered under the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protec tion) Act 1999 and it would give to the registered proprietor the legal right to their exclusive use.
Once this is done, no company can use the name Mahanandi and can take this water for processing or selling.
The Andhra Pradesh Bio Diversity Board Member Secretary, Dr V.B. Ramana Murthy, said the Mahanandidswar Swamy Temple Devasthanam has begun the process of selling the curative water.
Mahanandi is located in east of Nallamala hills in Kurnool district and is surrounded by thick forest. It is a perennial source from which water flows out irrespective of seasons.
“The water, known as Shiva Ganga, is famous for crystalline purity and healing qualities,” said environ mental activist, Ms B.Varalakshmi.
“There are three famous fresh water pools; two small pools at the entrance and one big pool inside the temple premises.
“The inlets and outlets of the tank are so arranged that the depth of the water is constantly kept at five feet. The source of water is still a mystery.” Dr Nagarajan of Chennai Geographical Index Registry said that Mahanandi water was a natural product specific to the region.
Meanwhile, Seetammapet in Araku has also resolved on declaring it’s turmeric as Geographical Indicator.
“The turmeric is deep in coloUr and has more medicinal properties than any other turmeric available on earth,” said Dr Ramana Murthy.