SEABUCKTHORN
– AGICULTURE
News: Ladakh secures 4th GI tag for Sea
Buckthorn
What's
in the news?
●
Ladakh has secured its fourth Geographical
Indication (GI) tag, this time for “Ladakh Sea Buckthorn.”
Key
takeaways:
●
Sea Buckthorn is a highly profitable crop in Ladakh, with 90% of its production coming
from the region.
Seabuckthorn:
●
It is a shrub that produces an orange-yellow
coloured edible berry.
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In India, it is found above the tree line
in the Himalayan region. It is
generally in dry areas such as the cold deserts of Ladakh and Spiti.
●
In Himachal
Pradesh, it is locally called Himalayan chharma and grows in the wild in
Lahaul and Spiti and parts of Kinnaur.
Significance:
●
It is used as a medicine for treating stomach, heart and skin problems.
●
It is rich in vitamins, carotenoids and
omega fatty acids. Moreover, it can help troops in acclimatizing to
high-altitude.
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It is an important source of fuelwood and fodder.
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It is a soil-binding plant that prevents soil erosion. Furthermore, it
checks siltation in rivers and helps preserve floral biodiversity.
○
Example: In the Lahaul valley,
Seabuckthorn is a good alternative for protecting the local ecology. Willow
trees there are dying in large numbers due to pest attack.
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It is used in making juices, jams,
nutritional capsules among others.
●
It is also used in the manufacturing of
cosmetics and anti-ageing products.