Highlighting concern over melting of Himalayan glaciers, environment minister Jairam Ramesh today suggested expanding sea buckthorn cultivation by tying up with China and Russia as part of mitigating strategies against climate change.
Referring to a scientific study which argued that blacksoot of army vehicles was also contributing to the melting of glaciers, the minister said, "Whether it is carbondioxide or whether it is soot, the melting of Himalayan glaciers is a major concern.
"It (sea buckthorn cultivation) has significance in Ladakh region and it has also significance in parts of Himachal Pradesh. And over a period of time in other areas also we will discover sea buckthorn can make a difference," he said at the National Conference on Sea buckthorn organised by Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences here.
Sea buckthorn, found in upper Himalayas, is an agro-forestry species with medicinal and environmental value. It has been used around the world for soil and water conservation.
Underlining the importance of the plant in checking melting of Himalayan glaciers, the minister also called for a greater partnership with countries like China, Russia and Mongolia in its cultivation.
The minister said he was very keen that "we have international partnerships" in the area of sea buckthorn cultivation.
"Area of sea buckthorn cultivation in China is almost a thousand times than India. We must also have greater partnership with Russia and Mongolia," he said.
In July, India had embarked on a major national initiative for commercial cultivation of sea buckthorn, pledging to bring an area of one million hectare under the crop's ambit by 2020 to reach the level achieved by China.
China has 1.1 million hectares under sea buckthorn cultivation, while India has only 11,500 hectares of land Mongolia has 30,000 hectares while Russia is cultivating the valuable plant in the 47,000 hectares.
Sea buckthorn plant has oval shaped and flame-coloured fruits which are highly nutritious and are a very good source of vitamins, trace minerals, amino acids, and antioxidant.
The plant is extensively used by China in its traditional medicines.
