Wild Himalayan spice 'Khagi' earns 200 Arunachal families Rs 39 lakh

Over 200 indigenous families in Arunachal Pradesh are generating income by harvesting and selling Khagi, a native wild Himalayan spice. The community-led initiative has collectively earned the families approximately Rs 39 lakh while encouraging sustainable forest use. A structured local system manages both the harvesting and marketing of the spice, while also supporting forest patrols and biodiversity monitoring. The project creates a direct financial motivation for communities to conserve their forests and farmlands. It also aids in protecting transboundary wildlife habitats in the Himalayan region.