Informatics Publishing Limited

A. K. Goel , S. K. Mamgain

Abstract

Plant diversity in Indian subcontinent is under threat mainly due to human activities and reproductive isolation of the species. It is estimated that 15-20 per cent of our vascular flora i.e. about 2,500 species of plants are under various degrees of threat of which about 1,000 species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the country. The increasing loss of plant diversity has turned the attention of various agencies to take the immediate conservation measures and save it from further depletion and extinction. Besides protection of species in-situ, the off-site (ex-situ) conservation of species particularly of those which are rare and endangered, has become an important tool for conservation of biological diversity. Considering the urgency for conservation of plant diversity we have taken up the task of ex-situ conservation of some tropical and subtropical threatened plant species of India in the N.B.R.I. Botanic Garden. The main aim of this work is to acclimatise, cultivate, propagate and multiply such taxa under ex-situ condition and subsequently reintroduce them to natural or semi-natural habitats together with maintenance of the species ex-situ in the botanic garden.

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S. K. Mamgain

Abstract

The present communication deals with diversity, ecology and distribution of Indian Lactuceae (Asteraceae) which is represented by 10 genera namely Lactuca L., Prenanthes L., Launaea Cass., Sonchus L., Reichardia Roth, Cicerbita Wallr., Ixeris, Cass., Chondrilla L., Dubyaea DC and Youngia Cass., with 80 taxa in India. Among these 9 genera and 51 taxa are from the Western Himalaya, 7 genera and 31 taxa from Eastern Himalaya, 5 genera and 12 taxa from Western and Eastern Ghats and 6 genera and 15 taxa from Gangetic plains, Rajasthan and other parts of the country. The Lactuceae exhibit wide range of variations in its ecological habitats from sea coast to 5000 m in elevations and exhibit enormous diversity both intraspecifically and interspecifically. The Himalayas are shown to be major centre for Lactuceae diversity and distribution followed by Western Ghats and Gangetic plains. At generic level Lactuca exhibits maximum diversity with 25 species followed by Youngia and Cicerbita, all three are predominantly Himalayan. The genus Dubyaea is endemic to Sino-Himalayan region with 9 species, while 6 of its 9 species are highly localized in this region. The maximum diversity of Lactuceae in the Himalaya is due to a variety of climatic conditions and altitudes which in turn has resulted in diverse habitats. The Lactuceae inhabit every conceivable habitats and reveals a great amount of variation in the populations of different species. The distribution analysis of Lactuceae reveals that its members are chiefly distributed in the Himalaya and poorly represented in Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and Gangetic plains.

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S. K. Mamgain ¹

Affiliations
1 Deputy Director, MV

Abstract

The present paper is based on the survey, analysis, field work and findings by the author as Senior Technical Expert and lead member of the team worked with the German Technical Cooperation - Uttarakhand Regional Economic Development Programme (GTZRED) on Value Chains (VC) promotion and development in the medicinal and aromatic plant sector in Uttarakhand. Besides analysis of promising sectors for selection, promotion and development of value chains, the ground work for the programme started with lot of consultations with experts from various institutions in government, civil societies, industries, private and public sector organizations within and outside the State. Through the long process of discussion and consultations also with the local communities finally the process of identification and prioritization of four value chains were completed based on the criteria as prescribed in the Value Link Manual (GTZ, 2007). The value chains on medicinal and aromatic plants from the hills of Uttarakhand were the first which was selected for promotion and development. Initially the two species Picrorhiza kurrooa (Kutki)and Sausurea costus (Kuth) were identified for Value Chains improvement and development. The initial work for these two species started with visits to selected VC areas. Stakeholders' meeting was organized with the farmers / growers of the medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in these areas. Subsequently visioning workshops for the two VCs were conducted in the areas to priorities the strategy, actions and vision for improvement and development of the two value chains based on the findings of SWOT analysis. To realize the vision, stakeholders workshop was organized at Herbal Research and Development Institute, Mandal , Gopeshwar and finally Operational Plans for the two Value Chains were developed in the two days long proceedings of the workshop. During the workshop, partner organizations were also identified for implementation of the activities prioritized in the Operational Plans. In order to develop market linkages with the traders or pharmaceutical industries for sale of the products and ensure guaranteed market access to the farmers in Uttarakhand, a buyer sellers meet was organized for the first time in the State creating better income and profit opportunities and business environment. The meet has not only been successful in sale of the crops of Kuth and Kutki but also opened up avenues for establishing a long-term deal or buy back agreements for the two Value Chains between the growers and the buyers in future.

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S. K. Mamgain ¹, R. R. Rao ¹

Affiliations
1 Botanical Survey of India, Dehra Dun, IN

Abstract

During the course of a revisionary study on the subtribe Lactuceae in India, the authors encountered some specimens which showed affinities with Lactuca rapuncubides Clarke in the general habit of plant, shape of upper and lower leaves, in the drooping nature of the inflorescence and in having outer involucral bracts much shorter than the inner. Critical examination of these specimens both at BSD and DD, particularly the achene character and the involucre, proved that these specimens belong to a new species, which is described here.

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