Seabuckthorn Berry: The Emerging Cash Crop of Nubra Valley

Nubra valley has a tremendous potential for cultivation of seabuckthorn berry, since, there is a huge demand for this magical fruit from different markets of the world. Since 1960.s the area under seabuckthorn berry was extended by forest department, yet there is vast land available in the valley where the fruit can be raised successfully. Though utilized on small scale, by local farmers, despite having great potential, there is ample scope for the fruit to emerge as a major cash crop of the valley. The fruit can prove most effective for biodiversity conservation in trans-Himalayas in general and valley in particular. The fruit can not only change the socio-economic scenario of the local farmers but can generate employment opportunities to the local youth. The distribution and growth of biodiversity in any geographical area is a resultant effect of various natural phenomenas prevailing in the region. These include climatic conditions, physiography, soil type etc. Seabuckthorn berry, a winter hardy deciduous shrub widely distributed on high altitudes of Himalayas, is a multi-purpose plant that can with stand in extreme cold conditions. It plays a vital role in controlling soil erosion by binding soil through its strong root system, slope stabilization, land reclamation and nitrogen fixation, besides having a great nutritional value. Thus, in the fragile ecosystem of Himalayas seabuckthorn can not only enhance livelihood of inhabitants but it can also prove fruitful for soil and water resource conservation.