'Kandhamal Haldi', which received GI tag recently, is a variety of turmeric indigenous to?

Option 2 : Southern Odisha

The correct answer is option 2, i.e. Southern Odisha.

Odisha’s Kandhamal Haldi (turmeric), famous for its healing properties, received GI tag as the Geographical Indications under sub-section (1) of Section 13 of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

• The GI tag is awarded by the India Patent Office, 
• This GI tag gives an assurance of quality, allows a state or a geographical region to lay an exclusive claim over a product, and is often used as a reason to increase production rates.
• For tribal people in Kandhamal, turmeric is the main cash crop. It is used for domestic and for cosmetic and medicinal purposes.