Climate change endangers Karnataka’s GI-tagged Appemidi mango

Key facts

• Appemidi mango received Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2009.
• A 30-km conservation march from Sarakuli village to Unchalli Falls assessed tree status during 30 March-1 April.
• Conservationists recorded 33 distinct accessions of appemidi, several now under threat.
• Effective rainfall days varied from 17 in 2021 to 165 in 2025 against a local average of 120.
• Efforts to revive the famed Ananta Bhattana Appe variety through grafting have not achieved fruiting.
• Activists seek biodiversity heritage site status for the Aghanashini valley landscape.