The Himachal Pradesh government has recently made a decision to commence the plantation of seabuckthorn in the cold desert regions of the state. This move aims to leverage the multiple benefits offered by this plant species, including ecological benefits, medicinal applications, and economic potential.
About Seabuckthorn
Seabuckthorn is a shrub that bears an orange-yellow edible berry. In India, seabuckthorn typically grows above the tree line in the Himalayan area, particularly in dry regions such as the cold deserts of Ladakh and Spiti. It is also found growing wildly in Lahaul and Spiti and some parts of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh where it’s locally known as chharma. This plant covers significant portions of Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Ecological Benefits of Seabuckthorn Plantation
One of the primary benefits of seabuckthorn is its positive impact on the environment. Its proven capability as a soil-binding plant prevents soil erosion, controls siltation in rivers, and assists in preserving floral biodiversity. Its sturdy nature provides a viable alternative for safeguarding the local ecology in areas like the Lahaul valley where willow trees are under threat due to pest attack. Furthermore, seabuckthorn thrives well in dry regions, making it particularly crucial in the context of diminishing water flow from Himalayan glaciers.
Medicinal Properties of Seabuckthorn
Aside from its ecological contribution, seabuckthorn has also been widely used for treating various health issues such as stomach, heart, and skin problems. The fruit and leaves of this plant are rich in vitamins, carotenoids, and omega fatty acids, making it beneficial for troops adjusting to high altitudes. Scientific research, in recent decades, has confirmed many of these traditional uses.
Economic Potential of Seabuckthorn
Seabuckthorn also offers economic benefits. It’s used for making products like juices, jams, and nutritional capsules. It presents a valuable source of fuelwood and fodder too. However, to meet the industrial demand sustainably, seabuckthorn needs to be cultivated on a larger scale, similar to practices in China.
India’s Cold Deserts
The cold deserts in India are located in the Himalayas, stretching from Ladakh in the north to Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh in the south. Harsh climatic conditions prevail in these regions, characterized by scanty rainfall and an elevation ranging from 3000 – 5000m above sea level. Conditions like blizzards, snowstorms, and avalanches are common, and the infertile soil and short growing season result in a barren landscape. Water sources are minimal, consisting mainly of glacier-fed streams.
The Tree Line
The tree line denotes the edge of the habitat at which trees can grow, found at high elevations and latitudes. Beyond the tree line, environmental conditions such as extreme cold temperatures, excessive snowpack, or lack of available moisture render the environment intolerable for trees.
