A traditional Himalayan spice known locally as Khagi has generated Rs 39 lakh in turnover for more than 200 households in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh while helping protect over 100 sq km of forest, officials said. The community-led effort, centred on Community Conserved Areas, combined collective harvesting, aggregation and marketing to sustainably harvest and sell more than 10 tonnes of the spice, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said.
Khagi is a species of Zanthoxylum, botanically related to Sichuan pepper or Timur; its dried fruits are used as a spice and condiment and the plant figures in local traditional practices. The spice is mostly gathered from the wild, especially along forest edges and in open woodlands near agricultural plots, making its management closely tied to local land-use patterns.
Communities organised collective collection and marketing to improve returns and reduce dependence on local traders and volatile prices. Improved market linkages have allowed producers to sell together, boosting bargaining power; a share of the income is being channelled into conservation activities and community welfare, sources said.
Researchers cited in the report highlighted Khagi’s economic potential but also warned that its habitats require careful, sustainable management to prevent overharvesting and habitat loss. Because the crop is wild-collected, sustaining yields depends on protecting the landscapes where it grows and on community monitoring of harvest levels.
The West Kameng initiative has attracted support from organisations including WWF-India and established links with buyers such as Dabur India, Nahar Organics and NERAMAC, helping connect remote producers to larger markets. Officials say the project demonstrates how indigenous knowledge and community-led enterprise can create livelihoods while reinforcing forest protection and biodiversity conservation.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/arunachal-pradesh/story/arunachals-khagi-spice-brings-rs-39-lakh-to-200-households-while-helping-protect-forests-1439252-2026-08-18?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-08-18 08:39:00
