Red ant chutney gets GI tag

New Delhi/Mayurbhanj: Simlipal red ant chutney, made by the tribal people of Mayurbhanj district, has received the coveted Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Red ant chutney got GI tag on 2 January 2024. Lal Chutney also known as Kai Chutney is not limited to Odisha only, it is also available in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. It is also considered nutritious. This chutney is being made by the tribals of Mayurbhanj area. They collect red weaver ants, scientifically known as Oecophylla smaragdina, from Sal trees in the Simlipal Reserve. They usually hunt them at dawn because the ants are very aggressive and bite, causing a lot of pain. After being caught, they are crushed, washed and dried before cooking. Chutney also has some medicinal value as it cures cough, body ache and fever. It is also known to be rich in magnesium, protein, vitamin B12, zinc, calcium, iron and potassium. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Yashipur had applied for the tag through OUAT.