In the dry, dusty landscapes of Rajasthan and its neighbouring regions, the khejri tree, known by many names, including Prosopis cineraria, shami, jand and ghaf, is more than just a fixture of the terrain. It is a symbol of sustenance, belief and resilience.
Believed to have originated in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert, the hardy tree can withstand soaring temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius and thrive with minimal water, making it a vital ally for desert communities. Its long, slender pods, known as sangri, are dried and cooked into the beloved local dish ker sangri, a tangy, spiced preparation rich in nutrition, especially during times of drought when fresh produce is scarce.
Now, there are efforts to secure a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for sangri, in a bid to safeguard the legacy of the khejri and support the farmers who depend on it. The application for GI status was filed in December 2024 by Mula Ram, chairman of the Khejdi Utpadan Avam Prasanskran Sahkari Society Ltd in Bikaner, with support from Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University (SKRAU), also in Bikaner.
A GI tag, granted by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s Geographical Indications Registry, identifies a product as originating from a particular region with qualities unique to that location. It offers legal protection, bolsters traditional knowledge and enhances market value. Other foods with the GI designation include Bikaneri bhujia, Darjeeling tea, Kashmiri saffron and Alphonso mangoes.
The team at SKRAU, led by Sujit Kumar Yadav, head of genetics and plant breeding, compiled a 700-page dossier to support the application. It details sangri’s botanical characteristics, traditional processing methods, geographic origins, cultural significance and the role of local producers, along with legal declarations and quality control protocols.
“We are hopeful the GI tag will be granted soon. It would be a meaningful step for both the farmers and the cultural heritage of the region,” Yadav said. The approval process can take up to two years.
Currently, sangri sells for Rs 1,500 a kilogramme. Ram believes GI recognition could open up international markets and boost returns for local producers. “After the pods are harvested, the rest of the tree is used as fodder,” he explained. “It’s a low-investment crop that provides multiple benefits such as shade, soil enrichment, animal feed and income.”
The GI tag could also renew attention to the ecological and historical significance of khejri, which faces growing threats from pests, habitat loss and widespread felling linked to infrastructure and solar energy projects.
The tree holds a revered place in India’s environmental history. In the 1730 Khejarli massacre, 363 members of the Bishnoi community sacrificed their lives to stop the king’s men from cutting down khejri trees. Guided by the teachings of Guru Jambhoji, the Bishnois believe that protecting trees ensures the survival of all life that depends on them, humans and wildlife alike.
Khejri is deeply embedded in Indian religious and cultural traditions. In the Vedas, it is recommended for use in fire rituals, with its wood historically used alongside peepal to ignite sacred flames. In the Mahabharata, Arjuna is said to have hidden his bow within a khejri tree during exile. In the Ramayana, Lakshman built his forest hut using its branches.
Though native to India, the tree has gained international recognition as well. In the United Arab Emirates, it is known as ghaf and designated the national tree for its cultural and ecological importance to Bedouin communities.