Synonyms: Welin
Genetics: Western Himalayas Landrace
Type: Point of Origin, Open Pollinated
Style: Charas, Hashplant
Farmer: Various, Feral
Sourcing: Éloïse (2022, 2023)
Village(s): Wailing
District: Bhuntar
Province: Himachal Pradesh
Area: Parvati Valley
Region: Western Himalayas
Appellation: Malana Valley
Country: India
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Cultivation Details:
Regional Planting: Spring
Regional Harvest: October-November
Height: 1-4m
Classification: NLD type landrace population
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Description:
Wailing Valley is an isolated and rugged high-altitude region up the valley from Malana, home to a deeply traditional cannabis-growing community. The landrace cannabis here is characterized by extreme resin production, high-altitude adaptations, and diverse terpene profiles. The plants exhibit classic Western Himalayan morphology—tall, lanky structures with elongated internodes, narrow leaves, and exceptional cold resistance.
Aromas range from deep, spicy pine and hashy incense to vibrant citrus and floral overtones. Psychoactive effects are strongly cerebral, with a soaring, long-lasting high favored by charas producers. Plants from the higher fields often develop deep purple or nearly black hues due to extreme temperature fluctuations at altitude, while lower fields produce lighter green, more vigorous plants with larger colas.
Despite its relative obscurity compared to Malana and Waichin, Wailing Valley has long been a hidden stronghold of high-quality charas production.
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Context:
Wailing Valley, also spelled Welin, is a lesser-known but historically significant charas-producing region in the Parvati Valley. Cannabis has been grown here for centuries, with local farmers perfecting the art of hand-rubbing resin into charas long before the modern cannabis industry took notice.
Like many other villages in the Parvati-Malana corridor, Wailing's traditional cultivation methods have remained largely unchanged despite increasing law enforcement pressure. Farmers still rely on open-pollination, maintaining the genetic diversity of the local landrace. The valley's remoteness and harsh climate have helped preserve its unique cannabis genetics, though it has also made it more vulnerable to government crackdowns and shifting economic pressures.
While tourism has flooded much of Parvati Valley, Wailing remains one of the last bastions of untouched Himalayan landrace cultivation in the valley.
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Accession and Selection Details:
Wailing Valley General Population (2022, 2023)
Notes: General population seeds collected from plants throughout the valley by locals making charas
Type: Open Pollinated Domesticate Landrace
Altitude: 2800-3200m
Wailing Valley ‘Village’ Selection (2022, 2023)
Notes: Seeds collected from selected plants in and around Wailing Village by Éloïse
Type: Open Pollinated Domesticate Landrace
Altitude: 2800-3000m
Waichin Valley Feral General Population (2022, 2023)
Notes: General population seeds collected from feral plants throughout the valley by Éloïse
Type: Open Pollinated Feral Landrace
Altitude: 2400-3200m
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Current Status:
As of 2022-2024, law enforcement pressure is increasing, leading to more scattered and hidden cultivation sites.
Tourism and hybrid introductions remain a threat, though Wailing has avoided the worst of commercialization.
Soil degradation is becoming an issue, with overuse of amendments impacting long-term fertility.
Limited seed stock from 2022 and 2023 remains available.
A return expedition is needed to secure fresh collections, assess cultivation trends, and support conservation efforts.
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