Seabuckthorn: A tough shrub with a gentle touch for the environment and the economy

Himachal Pradesh: Over the past 35 years, China has rejuvenated 3 million hectares of cold desert areas across 19 provinces through large-scale seabuckthorn cultivation, establishing 2,200 seabuckthorn-based industries that process over 2.5 million tons of berries annually. According to Dr. Virendra Singh, seabuckthorn expert and president of the Indian Seabuckthorn Association, this massive effort has created millions of jobs and significantly improved livelihoods. Delivering the keynote address at the 10th International Seabuckthorn Association Conference (September 1-5) held in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, Dr. Singh highlighted how seabuckthorn has become a tool for both environmental restoration and economic empowerment in China. Organized by China’s Ministry of Water Resources, the event drew over 250 delegates from India, Mongolia, Germany, Russia, and other countries to discuss seabuckthorn’s role in conservation, climate change, and health. Delegates visited plantations and industries around Ordos and witnessed how this hardy shrub has revitalized barren lands and empowered rural communities. Mongolia and Germany have also benefited from Chinese cooperation, developing seabuckthorn hybrids for their cold deserts.

Dr. Singh emphasized that seabuckthorn, rich in vitamins, antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and polyphenols, is already used in over 600 health products, ranging from juices and cosmetics to medicines. Its deep root system stabilizes slopes, prevents erosion, and supports biodiversity, making it vital for fragile ecosystems. He noted that China has expressed a willingness to share expertise with India, especially for Himalayan cold desert regions such as Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Dr. Singh stated that he would soon present a seabuckthorn development strategy to Indian state governments, emphasizing its potential to combat climate change, reduce soil erosion, and boost rural incomes. Despite the emerging seabuckthorn industry in India, with over 150 products already on the market, raw material shortages remain a challenge due to limited cultivation. Dr. Singh urged Himalayan states to adopt seabuckthorn cultivation on a large scale and advocated for the inclusion of seabuckthorn-based nutritional products in schools and canteens as a healthy alternative to processed foods. “With climate change accelerating in high-altitude regions, seabuckthorn offers a timely and transformative solution,” Dr. Singh said. He assured that the Seabuckthorn Association of India is ready to replicate China’s success and assist state governments in designing and implementing projects to uplift communities in India’s cold deserts.