The Amesh or Tur found in valleys in high reaches of the Himalayas is full of nutrients and is traditionally used in treating myriad ailments. The botanical name of the plant is hippophae salicifilia. However, in English, it is commonly known as Seabuckthorn. In India it is widely found in Jammu and Kashmir.The plant, also found in higher parts of the hill State of Uttarakhand, is now being seen by agro-experts here as useful in developing the fallow lands and forestation. They also say that the fruit plant can play an important role in the development of the hill economy if produced for commercial purposes.
Amesh is a magical plant of dry Himalayan region. Its fruits are small and all its parts–roots, leaves, stems and fruits-are useful.The fruit berry, which ripens in December, has 190 active bio-components, six soluble vitamins, 22 fatty acids and proteins among other nutrients. Its juice does not get frozen at zero degree Celsius. It is a popular drink for soldiers posted in snow-bound regions.
In Uttarakhand, the Seabuckthorn is found in Garhwal’s Gangotri, Harshil, Sukkhi, Yamunotri, Har Ki Doon, Badrinath, Mana, Jhelum, valley of flowers and in Kumaon division’s Kali Ghati, Buddhi, Vias among others.To popularise the technique of using Amesh in commercial ventures, the scientists of hill campus Ranichauri have conducted various training workshops in various parts of Kumaon and Garhwal divisions.
The trainees were taught the skills of producing jam, juice and chutneys from the fruits. They were also trained to select the better specimen from the plants naturally growing in the wild and to nurture these to make quality saplings for better production.Senior scientists in Horticulture and Forestry University Bharsar Dr V K Shah informed that this valuable fruit was not properly utilised in commercial ventures in the state.
Despite the plant growing over 4000 hectare of land, its usage is limited. He said the scientists had conducted over 50 workshops to train villagers in hill regions of Garhwal and Kumaon to familiarise them with usefulness of Amesh. If the fruit processing units are set up in the hill state on the lines of Jammu and Kashmir, it could emerge as a major source of income for the villagers, Dr Shah added.