Paniyala is ready for physical and chemical analysis

Lucknow (Uttam Hindu News): Watery Paniyala is now ready for physical and chemical analysis. Scientists from the Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture affiliated with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Lucknow Rahman surveyed the Paniyala dominated areas of Gorakhpur and neighboring districts. Scientific testing of these plants will start soon. Not only their health related properties will be identified. Rather, other qualities will also come to the fore. Efforts are being made to include it in GI.

Principal scientists of the institute, Dr. Dushyant Mishra and Dr. Sushil Kumar Shukla took samples of fruits from some healthy plants. Both the scientists said that now the physical and chemical analysis of these fruits will be done in the institution’s laboratory to find out the diversity available in them. By selecting the best trees from the available natural trees and preserving them, new plants will be prepared through grafting method and these will be made available to the farmers and gardeners.

Notable Paniyala is also known as Indian Coffee Plum and Pani Amla. These trees are found in Gorakhpur, Deoria, Maharajganj areas of Uttar Pradesh. Paniyala, which was found in abundance in these areas five to six decades ago, is now endangered. T Damodar, Director of Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture, said that its leaves, bark, roots and fruits have anti-bacterial properties. Due to this, it is beneficial in many stomach diseases.

It has also been used locally for many stomach diseases, pain in teeth and gums, bleeding, cough, pneumonia and sore throat etc. The fruits have also been found useful in liver diseases. He told that various antioxidants are also found in Paniyala fruit. During the Chhath festival of eastern Uttar Pradesh, its fruits are sold for Rs 300 to 400 per kg. For these reasons, efforts are being made by the Government of India to make this fruit a geographical indicator of Gorakhpur. Their fruits can be preserved in the form of jam, jelly and juice and can be kept for a long time. Wood is useful for firewood and agricultural purposes.

It is known that the color of Paniyala is purple. Slightly larger than blackberries in size and almost round in shape; the taste of Paniyala, somewhat sour, sweet and slightly astringent. Four-five decades ago, it used to be the special fruit of Gorakhpur. As per the name, remembering its taste, mouth started watering as soon as I saw it. GI tagging will prove to be a lifesaver for Paniyala, which is rich in medicinal properties. This will increase the demand for this endangered fruit. Due to its branding by the government, in future it will also be the brand of Gorakhpur like Terracotta.

According to progressive farmer Indraprakash Singh, not only the farmers of Gorakhpur but also the gardeners of Deoria, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Siddharthnagar, Basti, Sant Kabirnagar, Bahraich, Gonda and Shravasti will get the benefit of getting GI tag. Because all these districts fall in the same agro-climatic zone. The characteristics of agricultural products of these districts will also be similar.