Synonyms: Bhutoling
Genetics: Western Himalayas Landrace
Type: Point of Origin, Open Pollinated
Style: Charas, Hashplant
Farmer: Various, Feral
Sourcing: Eloise (2022, 2023)
Village(s): Nirang
District: Bhuntar
Province: Himachal Pradesh
Area: Parvati Valley
Region: Western Himalayas
Appellation: Malana Valley
Country: India
---
Cultivation Details:
Regional Planting: Spring
Regional Harvest: October-November
Height: 1-4m
Classification: NLD type landrace population
---
Description:
Nirang represents a distinct charas-producing zone within the Malana Valley, encompassing both the trailhead settlement of Nirang and the ancient village of Bhutoling perched 300m above. Cannabis here thrives in steep, high-altitude terraces, benefiting from ample sunlight exposure and the mineral-rich mountain soils of the Parvati Valley.
Plants in this region exhibit the classic Western Himalayan landrace morphology, growing between 1-4m in height, with long, flexible side branching and plants that adapt well to the valley’s fluctuating temperatures. Their resin production is exceptional, with sticky, trichome-rich flowers well-suited for hand-rubbed charas extraction.
Terpene profiles vary, but notable expressions include earthy pine, fermented fruit, sweet incense, and subtle floral undertones. Some black-pigmented phenotypes emerge at higher elevations, producing darker, intensely aromatic hash favored by traditional collectors. Effects are described as deeply meditative, physically relaxing, and long-lasting, a hallmark of true Himalayan charas cultivars.
The landrace has been preserved in both cultivated and semi-feral populations, with plants growing in terraced fields, wild patches along the river, and high-altitude plots near the Rasol Pass.
---
Context:
The name “Nirang” is a modern reference to the trailhead village at the entrance to Malana, though historically, the area was known as Bhutoling. Today, the name Nirang is commonly used to describe both the lower settlement and the older village 300m above.
Nirang has become one of the most important commercial sites for charas, serving as a major hub for traders and buyers who often prefer to make transactions at the trailhead rather than hiking into Malana itself. The accessibility of the village has led to its increasing role in regional hashish distribution, with products from across the valley often available for purchase in the cafés and stalls near the trailhead.
While much of the Malana Valley’s cannabis cultivation has remained traditional, law enforcement pressure and economic shifts have led some farmers to adapt their practices, influencing both the scale and visibility of cultivation. Nirang remains a key production zone, with fields extending from the river all the way up to the Rasol Pass, sustaining its longstanding reputation for high-quality charas production.
---
Accession and Selection Details:
Nirang General Population (2022, 2023)
Notes: General population seeds collected from plants throughout the Nirang side of the valley by locals making charas during the 2022 & 2023 seasons.
Type: Open Pollinated Domesticate Landrace
Altitude: 2400-2800m
Nirang ‘Bhutoling’ Selection (2022, 2023)
Notes: Seeds collected from selected plants in and around Bhutoling Village by locals making charas during the 2022 & 2023 seasons.
Type: Open Pollinated Domesticate Landrace
Altitude: 2400-2800m
Nirang ‘Top’ Selection (2022, 2023)
Notes: Seeds collected from selected plants in and around the ‘Top’ fields, high above the village by locals making charas during the 2022 & 2023 seasons.
Type: Open Pollinated Domesticate Landrace
Altitude: 2600-3200m
Nirang ‘Black’ Selection (2022, 2023)
Notes: Seeds collected from selected black coloured plants selected plants in and around the ‘Top’ fields, high above the village by Eloise during the 2022 & 2023 seasons.
Type: Open Pollinated Domesticate Landrace
Altitude: 2600-3200m
Nirang Feral Selection (2022, 2023)
Notes: General population seeds collected from plants throughout Nirang side of the valley by Eloise during the 2022 & 2023 seasons.
Type: Open Pollinated Feral Landrace
Altitude: 2200-3200m
---
Current Status:
Nirang remains a major charas production zone, with traditional cultivation continuing across its high-altitude terraces and wild patches. However, increasing law enforcement activity, shifting trade dynamics, and changes in market demand present ongoing challenges for traditional farmers.
While still widely cultivated, the long-term stability of traditional charas cultivation in Nirang is uncertain. Efforts to document and preserve its landrace population remain a priority, ensuring that this distinct Western Himalayan lineage is not lost.
---
---
