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Source: The post is based on the article “Sea Buckthorn: Ladakh’s sea buckthorn gets GI tag” published in “AIR” on 18th November 2023
Why in the News?
Ladakh’s Sea Buckthorn has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
What is Sea Buckthorn?
| Specifications | Details |
| What is it | It is a shrub that produces an orange-yellow coloured edible berry. |
| Found in | In India, it is generally found in dry areas such as the cold deserts of Ladakh and Spiti. |
| Local Names | In Ladakh, it is popularly known as the ‘Wonder Plant’, ‘Ladakh Gold’, ‘Golden Bush’, or ‘Gold Mine’ of cold deserts. In Himachal Pradesh, it is locally called Himalayan chharma. |
| Medicinal Benefits | 1) Used as a medicine for treating stomach, heart, and skin problems. 2) Rich in vitamins, carotenoids, and omega fatty acids. 3) It can also help in acclimatizing to high-altitude. |
| Ecological Benefits | 1) Important source of fuelwood and fodder. 2) It is a soil-binding plant that prevents soil erosion. Furthermore, it checks siltation in rivers and helps preserve floral biodiversity. |
| Commercial Benefits | 1) Used in making juices, jams, nutritional capsules among others. 2) It is also used in the manufacturing of cosmetics and anti-ageing products. |
UPSC Syllabus: Environment
