Planting sea-buckthorn to enhance Lahaul green cover

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, June 14

Women of Lahaul-Spiti district have decided to plant sea-buckthorn in the region, considered an eco-friendly plant for the cold desert, to conserve the environment.

The women of Chandra valley led a campaign under the banner Sushma Samriti Prerna Mission and took the initiative ‘Ek Kadam Hariyali Ki Ore’ (one step towards greenery). They have planted as many as 6,588 forest nurseries since April 24.

Talking to The Tribune, Punam, president of Sushma Samriti Prerna Mission, said sea-buckthorn was considered the most viable plant to enhance green cover in the cold desert and the state government was also promoting it in the district.

“We started tree plantation in the Chandra valley from April 24 with the help of village women and 6,588 nurseries have been planted in the area. Now, we have decided to start a campaign for sea-buckthorn plantation in the region with a target of 10,000 plants in the coming days, which will not only become a source of income for the tribals but also enhance the green cover,” she said.

“Sea-buckthorn berries, locally known as Drilbu and Chharma, have the unique characteristic of remaining intact on the shrub throughout the winter months, despite the sub-zero temperature. As such, many bird species feed on the berries when other sources of food are limited in the region. The leaves, on the other hand, serve as a protein-rich fodder for cold desert animals, such as sheep, goat, donkey, cattle,” Punam claimed.

“As we have limited sources of earning to sustain our economy, cultivation of sea-buckthorn may prove a new milestone for us as it will not only help in environment conservation but also become a good source of income as there is a huge demand of sea-buckthorn yield in the national market,” she said.

The state government is encouraging tribals to engage themselves in organised cultivation of sea-buckthorn plants on forest and private land to boost the economy in Lahaul Spiti. A few months ago, a seminar was organised in Kullu by the Forest Department to apprise the people of its benefits.