Means of Livelihood for Uttarakhand’s Border Villages

June 2, 2026

The Himalayan region is a rich repository of medicinal and aromatic plants, many of which have been documented in traditional knowledge systems and ethnobotanical literature.

Traditional medicines based on natural resources continue to support healthcare systems, especially in developing countries where a large number of people depend on traditional medicinal practices. Indigenous communities of Uttarakhand, such as the Jads, Marchhas, Tolchhas, Shaukas and Rangs, have extensive ethnobotanical knowledge of local bio-resources.

Among these, Himalayan chive, an allium species, is closely linked with local culture and traditions and is widely used as a spice and household remedy. The genus Allium comprises more than 750 species globally, with around 40 species reported from India, including onion and garlic (Pandey et al 2021). More than 20 lesser-known wild species occur across the Himalaya, including Allium stracheyi, A fedschenkoanum, A humile, A prattii, A roylei, A przewalskianum and A wallichii.

These species are traditionally used for culinary, seasoning and medicinal purposes. In Uttarakhand, they are known by local names such as faran, jimbu, jambu, dodoo, dhungar, lanka and ladum. Let us focus on A przewalskianum, an important Himalayan species with considerable potential for livelihood generation in the TransHimalayan region.

A przewalskianum is a perennial herb adapted to high-altitude Himalayan climatic conditions. Its phenology is synchronised with the short alpine summer: vegetative growth begins soon after snowmelt during April-May, flowering takes place from June-July, and seed maturation occurs during July-August. During winter, the species remains dormant in the form of underground bulbs, which helps it survive extreme cold and snowcovered conditions. The insights presented in this article are based on field observations, interactions with local communities and research activities conducted under the project, Agroecology, ClimateResilient Farming and Livelihood Enhancement in Border Villages of the Indian Himalayan Region.

The project is being implemented by the Integrated Mountain Initiative, with financial support from the National Mission on Himalayan Studies. Around eight to nine decades ago, A przewalskianum, along with A stracheyi, A consanguineum and A wallichii, grew abundantly in the alpine and sub-alpine regions of Tibet and the adjoining Himalayan areas of Uttarakhand