Western Himalayas
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| Western Himalayas | |
|---|---|
| |
| 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 | 1,500–3,500 m |
| Area | ~50,000 km² |
| Climate | Temperate montane |
| Primary Rivers | Beas River, Tons River, Alaknanda River |
| 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.
The Western Himalayas growing region is characterized by landrace cannabis cultivation in steep valley systems between 500 and 3,500 meters elevation.
The region's cannabis populations are cultivated primarily for charas production, with hand-rubbing techniques passed through generations of farming communities.
Named Populations and Varieties
Cultural and Ethnic Context
Cultural-Ethnic Distinctions
Geography
Topography
Climate
Cultivation History
No data at present, further research needed.
Growing Areas and Sub-Regions
The Western Himalayas growing region encompasses numerous documented cultivation areas. Browse by administrative division:
Himachal Pradesh
Template:Main The Kullu District contains the highest concentration of documented growing areas in the Western Himalayas:
- Banjar Valley
- Janjehli Valley
- Kullu Valley
- Lug Valley
- Malana Valley
- Parvati Valley
- Sainj Valley
- Seraj Valley
Template:Main High-altitude region near the Tibet border.
Cold desert region with limited cultivation at very high elevations (3,000–3,800m).
Southern district with scattered cultivation areas, less documented than northern regions.
Uttarakhand
Western Uttarakhand, including:
- Nanda Devi region
- Niti Valley
Eastern Uttarakhand, including:
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
Current Cultivation Practices
Traditional 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.
Gallery
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Parvati Valley cultivation area
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Traditional hand-rubbing technique
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Flowering field in Kullu District
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Terraced cultivation in Malana Valley
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Beas River Valley landscape
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Traditional drying methods
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Autumn landscape, peak flowering season
See Also
References
External Links
- [Link to relevant botanical databases]
- [Link to conservation organizations]
- [Link to genetic research papers]