The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to start planting seabuckthorn in the cold desert areas of the state. In this context, explain the various benefits of the crop. (200 Words)
Refer - The Indian Express
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 4 years
KEY POINTS
Seabuckthorn
It’s a shrub which produces an orange-yellow coloured edible berry. It is found above the tree line in the Himalayan region, generally in dry areas such as the cold deserts of Ladakh and Spiti.
Various benefits
Medicine
· Seabuckthorn has been widely used for treating stomach, heart and skin problems.
· Its fruit and leaves are rich in vitamins, carotenoids and omega fatty acids, it can help troops in acclimatising to high-altitude.
Ecological
· Important source of fuelwood and fodder, seabuckthorn is a soil-binding plant which prevents soil-erosion, checks siltation in rivers and helps preserve floral biodiversity.
· Improve the level of ground water in himalayas
Commercial
· Seabuckthorn also has commercial value, as it is used in making juices, jams, nutritional capsules.
· It has to be cultivated in large scale to provide continuous raw material supply to the industries.
Latest project
The seabuckthorn association wants the forest departments of various Himalayan states/UTs to plant seabuckthorn on arid and marginal lands using compensatory afforestation funds.
sivasree 4 years
kindly review
IAS Parliament 4 years
Try to include about commercial benefits. Keep Writing.
Dev 4 years
Please review and provide feedback
IAS Parliament 4 years
Good attempt. Keep Writing.
