Facts and Future of Seabuckthorn; Importance of Seabuckthorn in the Himalayan region

 

In the high-altitude cold desert of Lahaul-Spiti, the chill in the air is slightly more than usual, which is an indication of winter. For 6 months every year, The Himalayan valley becomes virtually cut off from the rest of the globe. At 13000 feet above sea level in north-east Himachal Pradesh, the temperature can dip as low as -30 degrees Celsius in the winter months. It is one of the most difficult places in Asia to be a farmer. As the valley prepares for the harsh winter, the residents of the valley have additional tasks in the hands of Foraging Seabuckthorn.  

Seabuckthorn has great importance in the Himalayan regions as it benefits the people and environment of the region. This plant is found in plenty across the Himalayas across Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur even in states like Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. The environment there is very fragile and prone to soil erosion. Seabuckthorn helps in conserving the environment as it stops soil erosion and conserves wildlife.

Seabuckthorn is a wild food traditionally used as Tibbatian medicine in the valley. As far back as the 8th century, it's been widely used to treat a range of ailments from high altitude sickness and blood pressure to ulcers and bone diseases. But it only came global spotlight in the early 1990s. This huge market potential is proven by countries like China, Russia, and Canada. With the applications in farmaceuticals, cosmetics, and health foods. Now, it soon gets a title as a superfood a powerhouse of nutrition.  

                       

 

The leaves and fruits of the Seabuckthorn plant are extremely rich in vitamins ( A, C, and K), Amino acids, Omega fatty acids, and polyphenols. No other plant in the world possesses such a rich composition of compounds. The amount of Vitamin C present in Seabuckthorn is 4 times what is present in the Indian Gooseberry. Seabuckthorn foraging and cultivation give us an additional income and can also compensate for the farmer's loss. The process involved is also fairly easy and farmers hardly have to do much work. They don't have to till the land, irrigate it, or give it manure. This hardy drought plant can tolerate temperatures as low as -43 degrees Celsius and is ideal for high-altitude cold deserts that comprise over 40% of the total geographical area of Himachal Pradesh.

The driving foss behind the Seabuckthorn in India Dr. Virender Singh was the first scientist who began research in this plant 30 years ago. Today Doctor Singh wears many hats as he authored several books and research papers on Seabuckthorn. He is the secretary of the National Seabuckthorn Association and a professor of biology and environmental science. At the research station in Lahaul, Dr. Singh is in charge of developing new varieties of Seabuckthorn that are better suited for cultivation. Including a thornless rushing variety that is able to make the harvest process much easier for the farmers. It is estimated that the demand for Seabuckthorn which conventionally stands at 3000 tonnes per year could go up to 5000 tonnes in the next five years. To achieve this target, there is a need to be more awareness created about the various benefits of this wonder berry. Policymakers, media, and farmers need to be made aware of its economic importance. There is also a need to train farmers, NGOs, and development agencies to manage the nurseries of Seabuckthorn. For this, there will be a need for organizations that are working on the ground level directly with communities, and for this government, help is also required.