Ecological and Socioeconomic importance of Seabuckthorn in Ladakh of Jammu and Kashmir

Seabuckthorn is found in Ladakh region of Jammu And Kashmir State. It is a trans-himalayan shrub. Pollination is carried by wind. The fruit is yellow or orange berries. The berries have nitrogen fixing ability. Therefore, they increase soil fertility. Berries along with leaves, branches, root and thorns are traditionally used as medicine, food, fodder, fuel, and fence and improving afforestation. Hence it ensures sustainable development of the region. Thus we see that seabuckthorn plant is very important as far as ecology and economics is concerned. Hence seabuckthorn is popularly known as wonderful plant or Gold Mine of Ladakh. In this paper, we study the trend of berry harvest from 2004 and projected income generation upto 2040 in Leh Ladakh.