Himalayan Flower Buransh Boosts Women's Income in Pauri

Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand – A bumper bloom of Buransh (Rhododendron) in the hills of Uttarakhand is turning into a source of income for local women. Under the Gramotthan Project, women from Self Help Groups (SHGs) are collecting the flowers and producing juices, jams, pickles, and teas.

Chief Development Officer Girish Gunwant initiated the project to commercially utilize Buransh and empower rural women. The collected flowers are bought at ₹30–₹35 per kg and processed by local federations.

Medicinal Benefits: Buransh juice helps control blood pressure, strengthens the heart, detoxifies the body, and boosts immunity, according to Ayurvedic experts.

Women Empowerment: The initiative has provided seasonal employment, with processing units in Dugadda and Pauri buying the flowers and producing marketable products.

Federation member Geeta Rawat said, "This has brought work in the off-season and benefited women in our villages."

This eco-friendly initiative is helping both the environment and the economy thrive in the region.