Developmental Case Report of Women Empowerment through Sea-buckthorn Based Enterprise in Trans Himalayan Region

Sarla Shashni

doi:10.56093/aaz.v65i2.176551

Authors

Sarla Shashni G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Himachal Regional Centre, Mohal-Kullu 175126, India

https://doi.org/10.56093/aaz.v65i2.176551

Keywords:

Sea-buckthorn, women empowerment, Trans Himalaya, livelihood

Abstract

Women empowerment is key to sustainable development, especially in remote and ecologically fragile regions like the Trans Indian Himalayas. This study explores the role of Sea-buckthorn (Hippophae sp.) based enterprises in promoting economic independence, social status, skill development, and environmental conservation among women in the Lahaul & Spiti, Himachal Pradesh. Sea-buckthorn growing wild in the region is locally called as salla, chharma, etc. is a hardy and nutrient-rich species, providing income opportunities through the production of high value products, such as food supplements. The species also aids in soil erosion prevention and land rehabilitation in the barren areas of the region. Technological interventions in enterprise development foster both skill growth and economic resilience. The study also highlights how sea-buckthorn enterprise enhance women’s socioeconomic status, strengthen local livelihoods, and contribute to sustainable development goals. The empowerment of women through environmental stewardship and business leadership in this region offers a model for resilience and can be replicated in areas with similar conditions.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Sarla Shashni, G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Himachal Regional Centre, Mohal-Kullu 175126, India

Sarla Shashni is a scientist specialising in socio-economic development, rural entrepreneurship, and small business promotion among Himalayan communities of Himachal Pradesh. She holds a Ph.D in Environmental Science from GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (GBP ‘NIHE’) and Shoolini University, Solan, along with a Post-Masters Diploma in Non-Wood Forest Products from FRI, Dehradun. Her work integrates environmental conservation with livelihood generation through community-based and research-driven interventions. She has led and contributed to numerous R&D projects promoting sustainable practices in the Indian Himalayas. She was honored on International Women’s Day 2021 by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Himachal Pradesh, for her contributions to women’s empowerment. Her beekeeping initiative received recognition from NABARD, Shimla, and her Wild Rosehip project was featured as a Success Story by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. She served as a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of GBP ‘NIHE’ (2017-2021) and represented India at the 55th ICIMOD Board of Governors meeting in Thimphu, Bhutan (2024). She currently serves as Convenor of National Mission of Himalayan Studies (NMHS) TSC-03 on Livelihood Development and Employment Generation. She has authored around 50 publications, completed eight funded projects, developed 51 and updated 159 PBRs of Himachal Pradesh.

References

Adhikari, L., Shrestha, A., Dorji, T., Lemke, E. and Subedee, B. 2018. Transforming the lives of mountain women through the Himalayan nettle value chain: A case study from Darchula, far west Nepal. Mountain Research and Development 38: 4-13. https://doi.org/10.1659/mrd-journal-d-17-00074.1

Agnihotri, V. 2025. Quality, integrity and safety of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) and wild edibles from Indian Himalayan arid regions. Annals of Arid Zone 64(4): 493-497.

Baig, S.M., Khan, A.A., Ali, A., Khan, M.Z., Ahmed, S., Shah, G.M. and Ali, G. 2021. Enhancing socioeconomic resilience and climate adaptation through value chain development of mountain products in Hindu Kush Himalayas. Environment, Development and Sustainability 23(6): 8451-8473.

Bal, L.M., Meda, V., Naik, S.N. and Satya, S. 2011. Sea buckthorn berries: A potential source of valuable nutrients for nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. Food Research International 44(7): 1718-1727.

Behl, P., Osbahr, H. and Cardey, S. 2024. New possibilities for women’s empowerment through agroecology in Himachal Pradesh, India. Sustainability 16(1): 140.

Bośko, P., Biel, W., Witkowicz, R. and Piątkowska, E. 2024. Chemical composition and nutritive value of sea buckthorn leaves. Molecules 29(15): 3550.

Christaki, E. 2012. Hippophae rhamnoides L. (Sea buckthorn): A potential source of nutraceuticals. Food and Public Health 2(3): 69-72.

Dey, A., Sharma, S., Patel, C., Patel, R., Nadeem, A. and Gupta, A.K. 2025. Towards a robust and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem: Insights from the Himalayas. The Journal of Entrepreneurship 33(4): 925-939. https://doi.org/10.1177/09713557241308014

Dhyani, D., Maikhuri, R. and Dhyani, S. 2011. Sea-buckthorn: An underutilized resource for nutritional security and livelihood improvement of rural communities in Uttarakhand Himalaya. Ecology of Food and Nutrition 50: 168-180.

Dolma, T. and Uniyal, S. 2025. Valuing sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) ecosystem services for sustainable development and livelihood: A case study in Ladakh cold desert. Forests, Trees and Livelihoods: 217-229.

Dong, K., Fernando, W.M.B., Durham, R., Stockmann, R. and Jayasena, V. 2023. Nutritional value, health-promoting benefits and food application of sea buckthorn. Food Reviews International 39(4): 2122-2137. https://doi.org/10.1080/87559129.2021.1943429

Jigmet, Namgial, Gupta, S.K. and Dawa, S. 2025. Medicinal plants of Sham Valley in trans- Himalayan region of Ladakh, India. Annals of Arid Zone 64(3): 405-411. https://doi.org/10.56093/aaz.v64i3.162395

Kaushik, K., Chauhan, M., Singh, D.P., Pant, M. and Pandey, A. 2025. Sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.): An Economically Important Shrub of Cold-Temperate Regions. Defence Life Science Journal 10(4): 276-287.

Khalid, A.M. 2022. Developmental success and the sustainability challenge in a mountain region: Case of Himachal Pradesh in India. International Journal of Regional Development 9(1): 47-74.

Koskovac, M., Cupara, S., Kipic, M., Barjaktarevic, A., Milovanovic, O., Kojicic, K. and Markovic, M. 2017. Sea buckthorn oil—A valuable source for cosmeceuticals. Cosmetics 4(4): 40.

Kumar, P., Mishra, S., Thakur, S., Kumar, D. and Raman, V.A.V. 2024. Vulnerability of tribal communities to climate variability in Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, India. Coğrafya Dergisi 47: 29-43.

Mihal, M., Roychoudhury, S., Sirotkin, A.V. and Kolesarova, A. 2023. Sea buckthorn, its bioactive constituents and mechanism of action: Potential application in female reproduction. Frontiers in Endocrinology 14: 1244300.

Panta, S. and Thapa, B. 2018. Entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment in gateway communities of Bardia National Park, Nepal. Journal of Ecotourism 17: 20-42.

Pandhare, A., Bellampalli, P. and Yadava, N. 2024. Transforming rural women’s lives in India: The impact of microfinance and entrepreneurship on empowerment in self-help groups. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship 13:62. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-024-00419-y

Parrey, I.R. 2021. Role of public entrepreneurship in the progress of agricultural produces in Himalayas. Sustainability, Agri, Food and Environmental Research 9(2): 297-310.

Raghuvanshi, M.S., Dorjay, N., Singh, R.K., Manjunatha, B.L., Moharana, P.C., Spalbar, E., Stanzin, L. and Saxena, A. 2019. Ladakh traditional farming: An approach to resource utilization under changing climate. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 8(9): 654-666.

Rana, J.C. and Bisht, I.S. 2023. Reviving smallholder hill farming by involving rural youth in food system transformation and promoting community-based agri-ecotourism: A case of Uttarakhand state in north-western India. Sustainability 15(11): 1-28.

Sanwal, N., Mishra, S., Sharma, N. et al. 2023. Evaluation of the phytoconstituents and bioactivity potentials of sea buckthorn (Hippophae sp.) leaves using GC-MS, HPLC-PDA and ICP-MS: a gender-based comprehensive metabolic profiling. Food Measurement and Characterization 17: 2767-2781.

Sati, M.C. and Juyal, R.P. 2008. A gender approach to sustainable rural development of mountains. Mountain Research and Development 28(1): 8-12. Saripalli, B., Chawan, V. and Gunta, S. 2019. Empowering subsistence women entrepreneurs in India. Society and Business Review 14(1): 71-92

Sharma, A., Singh, V., Dixit, S.P. and Baghla, K. 2015. Role of sea-buckthorn in improvement of soil fertility in cold desert of Himalayas. In Proceedings of 7th Conference of the International Sea-buckthorn Association, New Delhi.

Shrestha, A., Acharya, S., Basnet, S. and Pradhan, M. 2025. Forging partnerships for women’s economic empowerment: A case of agro-cooperative-based commercialization of legumes in Ramechhap, Nepal. New Angle: Nepal Journal of Social Sciences and Public Policy 7(1): 81–95. https://doi.org/10.53037/na.v7i1.66

Singh, A., Butola, J.S., Samant, S.S., Sharma, P., Lal, M. and Marpa, S. 2012. Indegenous techniques of product development and economic potential of sea-buckthorn: a case study of cold desert of Himachal Pradesh, India. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India-Section B: Biological Sciences 82(3): 391-398 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-012-0042-0.

Singh, S., Thakur, N., Mir, M. and Sarma, U. 2024. Sea buckthorn in cold arid India: A review of ecological, economic and nutritional benefits. Journal of Mountain Research 19(2): 143-154. https://doi.org/10.51220/jmr.v19-i2.16.

Singh, V., Sharma, V.K., Tyagi, S.P., Dhaliwal, Y.S. and Sharma, M. 2018. Sea-buckthorn (Hippophae L.) technologies for environmental conservation and development of value chain in Himachal Pradesh. Progressive Horticulture 50: 92-107.

Stobdan, T., Dolkar, P., Chaurasia, O. and Kumar, B. 2017. Sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) in trans-Himalayan Ladakh, India. Defence Life Science Journal 2(1): 46-53.

Stobdan, T., Korekar, G., Chaurasia, O.P., Balaji, B., Yadav, A., Dwivedi, S.K., Targais, K., Mundra, S. and Srivastava, R.B. 2012. Sea-buckthorn production for greening and sustainable income generation in cold desert of India. In: (Eds. R.B. Srivastava and W. Selvamurthy). Innovations in Agro Animal Technologies. Satish Serial Publishing House, New Delhi.

Shashni, S. 2021. Sea-buckthorn (Hippophae Sp.): Medicinally, economically and ecologically valuable plants of Trans Indian Himalaya. ENVIS Bull Himalayan Ecology 29: 95.

Tamchos, S. and Dorjey, K. 2024. Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. turkestanica: A potential species for sustainable propagation in the cold desert of Ladakh. National Academy of Sciences Letters 48: 89-94.

Tiwari, N., Bisht, P. and Singh, P. 2024. The role of microfinance in women’s empowerment in the Himalayan region. ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts 5(5): 1649-1658.

Yadav, A., Stobdan, T., Chauhan, O.P., Dwivedi, S.K. and Chaurasia, O.P. 2019. Sea buckthorn: A multipurpose medicinal plant from upper Himalayas. In: Medicinal Plants (Eds. N. Joshee, S. Dhekney and P. Parajuli). Springer, Cham.