Ongoing Initiatives

Value addition to local fruit and forest produce
Conservation of threatened medicinal plants/trees
Promotion of organic farming
Introduction of energy saving and drudgery reducing    
Local self governance and gender
Conservation of indigenous bees and livelihood enhancement
Education and nutrition programme

Value addition to local fruit and forest produce

Conservation of threatened medicinal plants/trees

Many native medicinal plant species, once found abundantly in the valleys of Kullu, including the Lag valley, have become scarce and threatened in the wild largely due to population decline attributed to overexploitation, habitat degradation and loss and failure of natural regeneration.

Out of the list of 32 medicinal plants prioritized by the NMPB, the following 7 occur naturally in the NW Himalaya:

1. Aconitum heterophyllum (Atees) – EN (Endangered)
2. Swertia chirata (Chirata) –
3. Nardostachys jatamansi (Jatamansi) –  EN, Appendix II, CITES
4. Saussurea costus (Kuth) – Appendix I, CITES
5. Picrorhiza kurrooa (Kutki) – EN, Appendix II, CITES
6. Berberris aristata (Rasaut) –
7. Aconitum ferox (Vatsnabh) –

In addition the following 3 NW Himalayan species are reported to be threatened and also have high value and much demand:

1. Valeriana wallichii (mushkbala) –
2. Podophyllum hexandrum (Bankakri) – EN, Appendix II, CITES
3. Dioscorea deltoidae (Shingli-Mingli) – Negative list, EXIM policy

Currently planting stock of wild bitter apricot(Prunus armenica), Walnut (Juglans regia), wild peach (Prunus persica), green oak, Shingli-Mingli (Dioscorea deltoidae) are being raised at nurseries located at Tehla, Pahanala and Rujak. Nurseries located (above 2200 mtrs) at Manihar, Ursu, Tiun, Thach and Jagatsukh, medicinal plants  species including Valeriana wallichii (mushkbala), Aconitum heterophyllum (Atees), Picrorhiza kurrooa (Kutki) and Podophyllum hexandrum (Bankakri) is being grown.
 

Promotion of organic farming

Introduction of energy saving and drudgery reducing    

Local self governance and gender

Conservation of indigenous bees and livelihood enhancement

Promotion of Apis cerena, the indigenous bee in the NW Himalaya, will contribute to its conservation, as the bee is almost on the verge of getting wiped out from the region. Forest honey offers an off farm income generation opportunity for the small and marginal farmers and even for the landless. Value addition through appropriate collection, production, cleaning, handling and packaging practices can easily enhance quality and consumer acceptance, the challenge of consolidating regular and steady supplies and of profitable market linkages remains. Value addition to bees wax can supplement returns from honey-based enterprise.

Forest honey is a widely available product with most mountain households engaged in
traditional honey collection and rearing. Forest honey is well known for its quality in
terms of purity and medicinal benefits. Forest honey is a NTFP and is harnessed traditionally in the higher regions through wooden logs of different sizes placed among cliffs and locally
harvested. Stationary beekeeping with Apis cerena is best suited for the region and
supports livelihoods among poor high altitude villages.

Any improvement in the commercial potential of forest honey links directly to
conservation of flowering shrubs and trees locally. For instance, indigenous flowering
species in the mid Himalaya like wild apricot, bird cherry, chestnuts, hazelnuts and a host of perennial shrubs/ climbers, are in decline not only due to habitat factors but because they are not perceived to be of commercial value.