Climate change, erratic weather hit kafal yield in Tehri Garhwal hills

Mussoorie: Changing rainfall patterns and extreme weather events have sharply reduced the production of kafal—a wild Himalayan berry—this summer season in the Jaunpur block of Tehri Garhwal, causing significant financial losses for hill farmers.“Scanty winter rains stunted fruiting, while unseasonal storms and hail in April and May damaged what little crop had formed,” said Sunil Rounchella, pradhan of Tunetha village.“Farmers from Jodi, Tunetha, Kolti, Mawana, Kafolti and nearby villages, who usually earn a collective revenue of as much as Rs 8–10 lakh from kafal sales, have suffered nearly 80% losses this season. They are facing severe financial setbacks due to the poor production,” said Himanshu Katiyar, a resident of Jodi village.Residents note that the decline in the fruit’s production has been apparent for the past two years. “Rainfall patterns have become erratic, while rising temperatures and water scarcity are affecting both the growth of kafal trees and fruit production,” said Sandeep Khanna of Bhatoli village.The shortage has also hit markets in Mussoorie, where residents and vendors are complaining of limited supplies and soaring prices. “We are having difficulty getting supplies of the fruit from the villages. Considering the high demand, I went to Dhanolti myself but was able to procure only small quantities, and that too at high rates,” said fruit vendor Mohammed Shahid.Notably, Kafal (Myrica Esculenta) is a small tree species that grows at elevations ranging from 900 to 2,000 metres in Uttarakhand. Its fruiting season begins in early May and continues until mid-June. Known for its unique taste and medicinal properties, the berry is a seasonal favourite among tourists.