Kafal: The Wild Fruit Bringing Joy and Health to Himachal’s Tourists and Villagers

These days, the high-altitude areas of Kufri, Sillonbag, Koti, Mudaghat, and Junga are buzzing with excitement as the Kafal fruit ripens. Tourists visiting these scenic spots are relishing the unique taste of Kafal. With the rainy season behind them, villagers are now busy picking Kafal in the forests, spending their days gathering this precious fruit. The tall Kafal trees pose a challenge, but the villagers enthusiastically risk their lives to collect each grain, bringing them home in bags.

Kafal has become a vital source of income for the rural communities. You can find locals selling Kafal by the roadside in tourist hubs like Kufri, Chail, and Sillonbag, much to the delight of visitors.

Kafal is not just a treat for the taste buds; it’s a wild fruit packed with medicinal properties. Found in the evergreen forests of Himachal Pradesh and other Himalayan regions, Kafal is known for boosting immunity. The trees thrive at altitudes of 1000 to 2000 meters, and the fruit is juicy with a delightful sour-sweet flavor. Folklore tells us that Lord Rama and Sita cherished Kafal during their exile.

Ayurveda Medical Officer Dr. Vishwabandhu Joshi highlights that Kafal is rich in vitamins, iron, and antioxidants. It also contains natural elements like myricetin and glycosides, and its leaves have Laven 4, Hydroxy 3. The bark, fruit, and leaves of the Kafal tree are all considered medicinal.

Joginder Nagar, Regional Director of the National Medicinal Plant Board, emphasizes that Kafal is a special seasonal fruit found in the wild. Its consumption helps prevent various diseases and enhances the body’s immunity.