Last Updated:June 18, 2025, 12:33 IST
Uttarakhand farmers grow the rare Damask rose, earning Rs 13 lakh/litre for its oil. Now spanning 150 hectares, it boosts jobs and draws buyers from Delhi to Australia
Due to its distinctive fragrance and medicinal qualities, the Damask rose is widely used in the production of perfumes, rose water, and essential oils. (News18)
There’s a flower blooming in the hills of Uttarakhand that’s giving luxury a run for its money. Meet the Damask rose: not just a feast for the senses, but a lifeline for farmers and a darling of global cosmetic giants.
Which Rose Variety Has The Highest Market Value?
Roses are cultivated throughout India and used in everything from decorations to perfumes and beauty products. But among the many varieties, one rare bloom, the Damask rose, is proving especially valuable, both economically and agriculturally, in the hilly regions of Uttarakhand.
According to Dr Nripendra Chauhan, Director of the Centre of Aromatic Plants (CAP), the cultivation of Damask roses has surged across districts like Dehradun, Tehri, Pithoragarh, and Nainital.
Why Is The Damask Rose High In Demand?
Dr Chauhan stated that in the year 2021–22, Damask rose was cultivated across approximately 100 hectares in Uttarakhand. This figure has since grown to around 150 hectares. Initially introduced as a boundary crop at the Centre of Aromatic Plants, it is now being commercially farmed in districts such as Dehradun, Tehri, Pithoragarh, Nainital, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, Bageshwar, and Almora, providing vital employment opportunities for local farmers.
He noted that even international companies are purchasing the produce. The Damask rose requires a cold climate for optimal growth, making Uttarakhand particularly well-suited for its cultivation. In addition to major Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai, companies from countries including Canada and Australia are sourcing rose essential oil and rose water from the region.
Dr Chauhan explained that due to its distinctive fragrance and medicinal qualities, the Damask rose is widely used in the production of perfumes, rose water, and essential oils. He also mentioned that an aroma garden is currently being developed on eight acres of rocky terrain in the Bhauwala area of the state capital.
What Makes The Damask Rose So Special?
The essential oil extracted from Damask roses is used in perfumes, cosmetics, and flavourings. This rose oil fetches between Rs 12 lakh to Rs 13 lakh per litre on the global market.
Dr Chauhan noted that aroma tourism is also being integrated with rose farming. A dedicated aroma garden is being developed on eight acres of rocky land in Bhauwala, near the state capital.
The Damask rose, native to Damascus, Syria, was historically cultivated in Iran and Turkey. In India, its use dates back to the Mughal period, when queens prized it for perfumes and luxury bathing. Today, its legacy continues, not in royal courts, but in the hands of Himalayan farmers bringing a centuries-old bloom to modern markets.
- Location :
Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal), India, India
- First Published:
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