Lahaul-Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh, famously known as India's cold desert, has reason to celebrate. The Government of India has granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Seabuckthorn, locally called Charma, a Himalayan superfruit found across the district's Spiti region. The tag gives the fruit a distinct legal identity at both the national and international level, and is expected to bring fresh economic strength to local farmers, self-help groups and the wider regional economy.
A distinct identity in new markets
With the GI tag now in place, Seabuckthorn from Spiti will enter domestic and international markets carrying its own unique identity. According to the forest department, the recognition marks an important step toward branding local produce, improving marketing efforts and ensuring farmers get a fair price for their harvest. It is expected to raise farmers' incomes while opening up fresh employment and self-employment opportunities in the region.
Ten to twelve times more Vitamin C than oranges
Indrajit Seera, an official at the Kalang forest division, said Seabuckthorn, whose scientific name is Hippophae rhamnoides, is a thorny shrub that grows naturally in the Himalaya's cold, dry desert terrain. It contains 10 to 12 times more Vitamin C than oranges. The shrub is also a rich source of Omega-3, Omega-6, Omega-9 and the rarer Omega-7 fatty acids, which are considered highly beneficial for skin health, heart health and immunity.
From herbal medicine to soil conservation
Seera said Seabuckthorn is widely used to make herbal medicines, health products and nutrient-rich food items. Beyond its health benefits, the thorny shrub also plays an important role in preventing soil erosion and turning barren land green. Notably, this Himalayan superfruit is also found in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district.
