Contrary to the growing concern over climate change the world over, signs of global warming in the cold desert of Lahaul-Spiti could herald a socio-economic revolution for tribals who are taking to apple cultivation in a big way.

The warmer climes have enabled successful cultivation of apple in Lahaul and Kaza areas, which primarily confine to the cultivation of high quality peas and potatoes till now. Though apple was being cultivated on a small scale in Samdoh and Poh areas of Spiti and Pattan valley of Lahaul but now the government plans to distribute it to the villagers for mass plantation in the entire district of Lahaul and Spiti.

Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal who visited Spiti recently says all-out efforts will be made to promote various destinations in Spiti from tourism point of view and at the same time supplement the income of the locals by encouraging them to take to apple cultivation.

The results of 47,000 apple plantations undertaken in seven panchayats last year in Lahaul have been very encouraging, prompting the administration to take to its cultivation on a larger scale. “This year we intend to distribute 1.51 lakh apple plants to people in the remaining 22 panchayats under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGA) so that they are able to supplement their income,” said Ritesh Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner, Lahaul-Spiti.

He said the plantation of apple undertaken in Lahaul valley last year in September-October had shown very positive results due to shift in the apple cultivation belt to lower areas. “With an increase in temperature of almost five degrees in the area, cultivation of apple has shown very positive results and now people are taking to it in a big way as they are planting royal delicious and spur varieties,” said N.K. Gupta, Deputy Director, Horticulture, Keylong.

People in the Spiti valley too are keen to adopt apple cultivation. “We too are keen that apple is planted on a large scale in the Spiti area so that we can have additional income,” says Palzor, a resident of Rangrik.

Horticulture officials say with apple cultivation not being undertaken on such a large scale in the tribal district so far, the produce is sold to the contractors locally.