Uttarakhand forest department sets up spice garden to boost sale of spices found in Himalayas

Spanning across 4 acres, the garden was developed in two years.

DEHRADUN: In an attempt to conserve Himalayan spices and boost their sale, the Uttarakhand forest department has set up “Himalayan Spice Garden” in Ranikhet (Nainital) where spices found in the mountainous region have been brought under a single roof.
The one-of-its-kind spice garden has been developed by the research wing of the state forest department and funded by Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Spanning across 4 acres, the garden was developed in two years. According to authorities, the garden will enhance livelihood opportunities through self-help groups and popularise Himalayan spices among people in other parts of the country. The garden has spices that are found at an altitude of 12,000 feet and above. These spices not only hold high nutritional but also a high economic value.
Divulging further details, Sanjiv Chaturvedi, chief conservator of forests (research wing), said, “The major objective of the garden is to conserve the spices found in the Himalayas. Once this goal is achieved, we will focus on generating profit from their sale. This could be a game-changer for the Himalayan economy. Southern states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are already earning revenue through the sale of the spices found in the Nilgiri Hills.”
Spices planted in the garden include — wild asafoetida, black cumin, dog mustard, gandrayani, badri tulsi (origanum vulgare), lakhori mirchi (yellow chilli), and jamboo/faran, among others. The garden also has an interpretation centre where information about these spices has been put on display..