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Western Himalayas: Difference between revisions

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The '''Western Himalayas''' is a major [[landrace cannabis]] cultivation region spanning the mountain valleys of northern [[India]], encompassing traditional ''[[charas]]'' (hand-rubbed hashish) producing areas in [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Uttarakhand]], and parts of [[Jammu and Kashmir]].  
The '''Western Himalayas''' is a major [[landrace cannabis]] cultivation region spanning the mountain valleys of northern [[India]], encompassing traditional ''[[charas]]'' (hand-rubbed hashish) producing areas in [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Uttarakhand]] and parts of [[Jammu and Kashmir]]. <ref>https://www.pmfias.com/himalayas-regional-divisions-punjab-himalayas-assam-himalayas-western-himalayas-central-himalayas-eastern-himalayas/</ref> <ref>https://archive.org/details/b32222920_0001</ref> <ref>https://www.unodc.org/pdf/india/publications/south_Asia_Regional_Profile_Sept_2005/10_india.pdf</ref> <ref>https://narcoticsindia.nic.in/Publication/2002.pdf</ref>


The Western Himalayas growing region is characterized by landrace cannabis cultivation in steep valley systems between 500 and 3,500 meters elevation.
In the Western Himalayas, landrace cannabis is cultivated by local communities and also occurs naturalized across steep valley systems from the Himalayan foothills (~300–600 m) through mid-elevation temperate valleys (e.g., Malana, Kullu, 1500 m through 3200m) to cold-desert basins above 3,000 m; published records extend to ~3,500 m in Lahaul–Spiti. <ref>https://refubium.fu-berlin.de/bitstream/handle/fub188/14541/ThexHolocene-2016-Demske-1661-75.pdf?sequence=1</ref> <ref>https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291116090_Retrospect_and_Prospects_of_Natural_Resource_and_Disaster_Management_in_Uttarakhand_Himalaya_Geo-environmental_Characteristics_Natural_Resources_and_Disasters_in_Uttarakhand_State</ref> <ref>https://www.eresearchco.com/articles/abnormal-meiosis-in-tetraploid-4x-cannabis-sativa-l-from-lahaulspiti-cold-desert-higher-altitude-himalayasa-neglected-bu.pdf</ref>


The region's cannabis populations are cultivated primarily for [[charas]] production, with hand-rubbing techniques passed through generations of farming communities.
The region's cannabis populations are cultivated primarily for [[charas]] production, with hand-rubbing techniques passed through generations of farming communities.
Line 45: Line 45:
The Kullu District contains the highest concentration of documented growing areas in the Western Himalayas:
The Kullu District contains the highest concentration of documented growing areas in the Western Himalayas:


* [[Banjar Valley]]  
* [[Tirthan Valley]]  
* [[Janjehli Valley]]  
* [[Janjehli Valley]]  
* [[Kullu Valley]]
* [[Kullu Valley]]
Line 52: Line 52:
* [[Parvati Valley]]
* [[Parvati Valley]]
* [[Sainj Valley]]
* [[Sainj Valley]]
* [[Seraj Valley]]
* [[Inner Seraj]]
* [[Outer Seraj]]
 
====[[Mandi District]]====
 
* [[Seraj]]


====[[Kinnaur District]]====
====[[Kinnaur District]]====
High-altitude region near the Tibet border.
 
* [[Lower Sutlej Valley]]
* [[Middle Sutlej Valley]]
* [[Baspa Valley]]


====[[Lahaul and Spiti District]]====
====[[Lahaul and Spiti District]]====
Cold desert region with limited cultivation at very high elevations (3,000–3,800m).
 
Due to the harsh climate and short growing season, as of 2015 is sparse evidence of current, intentional cannabis cultivation in Lahaul and Spiti districts. There are, however, feral, self seeding cannabis populations found near roadsides, rivers and temples throughout the district. <ref>https://www.eresearchco.com/articles/abnormal-meiosis-in-tetraploid-4x-cannabis-sativa-l-from-lahaulspiti-cold-desert-higher-altitude-himalayasa-neglected-bu.pdf</ref>
 
* [[Trilokinath]]
* [[Udaipur]]
* [[Keylong]]
* [[Darcha]]
* [[Batal]]
* [[Kaza]]
* [[Losar]]


====[[Sirmaur District]]====
====[[Sirmaur District]]====
Southern district with scattered cultivation areas, less documented than northern regions.
 
====[[Shimla District]]====
 
* [[Busahr]]
* [[Pabbar Valley]]
* [[Kotkhai Valley]]
* [[Jubbal Valley]]
* [[Chaupal Valley]]


===Uttarakhand===
===Uttarakhand===


====[[Garhwal Division]]====
====[[Garhwal Division]]====
Western Uttarakhand, including:
* [[Nanda Devi]]
* [[Nanda Devi]] region
* [[Niti Valley]]
* [[Niti Valley]]


====[[Kumaon Division]]====  
====[[Kumaon Division]]====  
* [[Johar Valley]]
* [[Johar Valley]]
* [[Darma Valley]]
* [[Darma Valley]]
* [[Gori Valley]]
* [[Saur Valley]]
* [[Munsyari]]
* [[Bona (Bauna)]]
* [[Darchula]]


===Jammu and Kashmir===
===Jammu and Kashmir===

Latest revision as of 18:16, 8 November 2025

Western Himalayas
View of the Parvati Valley in Kullu District
View of the Parvati Valley in Kullu District
Location India
Coordinates Template:Coord
Gene Pool South Asian Gene Pool
Regional Complex Hindu Kush-Himalayan
Country India
Provinces/States Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir
Elevation Range 500–3,500 m
Area ~50,000 km²
Climate Temperate montane
Primary Rivers Beas River, Tons River, Alaknanda River
Primary Mountains Pir Panjal Range, Dhauladhar Range, Great Himalayan Range, Mussourie Range, Nag Tibba Range, Shivalik Hills, Zanskar Range, Ladakh Range
Conservation Status Vulnerable

South Asian Gene Pool Hindu Kush-Himalayan [[Has country::India]]



The Western Himalayas is a major landrace cannabis cultivation region spanning the mountain valleys of northern India, encompassing traditional charas (hand-rubbed hashish) producing areas in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and parts of Jammu and Kashmir. [1] [2] [3] [4]

In the Western Himalayas, landrace cannabis is cultivated by local communities and also occurs naturalized across steep valley systems from the Himalayan foothills (~300–600 m) through mid-elevation temperate valleys (e.g., Malana, Kullu, 1500 m through 3200m) to cold-desert basins above 3,000 m; published records extend to ~3,500 m in Lahaul–Spiti. [5] [6] [7]

The region's cannabis populations are cultivated primarily for charas production, with hand-rubbing techniques passed through generations of farming communities.

Geography

Climate

Cultural Context

Ethnic Context

Cultivation History

Genetics

No data at present, further research needed.

Growing Areas

The Western Himalayas growing region encompasses numerous documented cultivation areas. Browse by administrative division:

Himachal Pradesh

Kullu District

The Kullu District contains the highest concentration of documented growing areas in the Western Himalayas:

Mandi District

Kinnaur District

Lahaul and Spiti District

Due to the harsh climate and short growing season, as of 2015 is sparse evidence of current, intentional cannabis cultivation in Lahaul and Spiti districts. There are, however, feral, self seeding cannabis populations found near roadsides, rivers and temples throughout the district. [8]

Sirmaur District

Shimla District

Uttarakhand

Garhwal Division

Kumaon Division

Jammu and Kashmir

No data at present, further research needed.

Ladakh

High-altitude cold desert region with limited cultivation

Botanical Characteristics

Regional Traits

Geographic Variation

Other Variations

Cultivation Practices

Traditional Methods

Modern Methods

Conservation Status

Threats to Landrace Populations

Conservation Efforts

Chemical Profile

Cannabinoid Content

Western Himalayas populations are traditionally drug-type cannabis, selected for resin production. Research is needed to characterize chemical profiles.

See Also

References

Template:Reflist

  • [Link to relevant botanical databases]
  • [Link to conservation organizations]
  • [Link to genetic research papers]

South Asian Gene Pool Hindu Kush-Himalayan India

  1. ↑ https://www.pmfias.com/himalayas-regional-divisions-punjab-himalayas-assam-himalayas-western-himalayas-central-himalayas-eastern-himalayas/
  2. ↑ https://archive.org/details/b32222920_0001
  3. ↑ https://www.unodc.org/pdf/india/publications/south_Asia_Regional_Profile_Sept_2005/10_india.pdf
  4. ↑ https://narcoticsindia.nic.in/Publication/2002.pdf
  5. ↑ https://refubium.fu-berlin.de/bitstream/handle/fub188/14541/ThexHolocene-2016-Demske-1661-75.pdf?sequence=1
  6. ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291116090_Retrospect_and_Prospects_of_Natural_Resource_and_Disaster_Management_in_Uttarakhand_Himalaya_Geo-environmental_Characteristics_Natural_Resources_and_Disasters_in_Uttarakhand_State
  7. ↑ https://www.eresearchco.com/articles/abnormal-meiosis-in-tetraploid-4x-cannabis-sativa-l-from-lahaulspiti-cold-desert-higher-altitude-himalayasa-neglected-bu.pdf
  8. ↑ https://www.eresearchco.com/articles/abnormal-meiosis-in-tetraploid-4x-cannabis-sativa-l-from-lahaulspiti-cold-desert-higher-altitude-himalayasa-neglected-bu.pdf
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