Seabuckthorn is a deciduous shrub in the genus Hippophae and is well-known for its health-promoting properties, and can play a crucial role in preventing soil erosion and help nitrogen fixation in cold, desert areas.
This Workshop will bring together researchers and various stakeholders (including farmers) to develop and strengthen the roadmap for seabuckthorn cultivation and commercialization.
Discussion points for the National Workshop on Seabuckthorn
- Ministry of Environment and Forests (Govt. of India) as the National Nodal Agency on Seabuckthorn.
- National Task Force on Seabuckthorn.
- Declaration of Seabuckthorn as a priority species for afforestation/plantation in cold deserts/dry temperate Himalayan regions.
- Establishment of National Institute for Research & Training on Seabuckthorn with Regional Centers in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
- Short and long-term plans on national Seabuckthorn development.
- Empowerment of local people/farmers in plantation on Forest marginal lands and management/transformation of natural forests into productive stands and their commercial utilization.
- Approval for seed money of Rs. 5 crores for the preparation of pilot project proposal.
- Aerial seeding in cold desert Himalayas.
- Pilot project on “Value chain on Seabuckthorn” with a budget of Rs 1000 crores on short-term basis (10 years).
- Scientific collaboration with various countries including Russia (on cultivation), China (on afforestation) and Germany (on processing technologies).
Contact Ministry of Environment and Forests (Government of India) or Defense Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), Leh for more details about the event.
Website: http://moef.nic.in/index.php
