Without wasting much time, he bought a piece of land at DehraDun and set up a small unit in the name of AV Herbals with an investment of around Rs 1 crore.

Soon, he launched two products – juice and gel – all 100 per cent based on Aloe vera, the use of which has increased over the years in health and cosmetic products.

And now, Soni is hoping to rake in the moolah by selling his products in the northern region. "We are now trying to sell our products in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh," said Soni.

Like Soni, several SMEs have chipped into the Aloe vera business in Uttarakhand. Krishna Aaushdhalay is among such enterprises which are now making the juice of Aloe vera. Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev has also entered into the ayurveda business in a big way.

Baba Ramdev's Haridwar-based Divyayog Pharmacy is making a host of products based on different herbs. Aloe vera is being used widely in the products of Divyayog Pharmacy.

"The consumption of Aloe vera juice is good," said Sameer Srivastva, who runs a outlet of Divyayog Pharmacy in DehraDun. Divyayog would also shortly launch Aloe vera jell.

Experts claim that the useof Aloe vera can fight fever, skin diseases, burns, ulcer, excessive thirst diabetes, arthritis and convulsion. From vitamins to proteins and minerals to growth hormones, Aloe vera is being utilised in health care products in Uttarakhand.