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S. S. Samant , Mohinder Pal

Abstract

The Uttaranchal State is located in the Indian western Himalayan Region (IHR). Like other provinces of the IHR this region is also known for rich biodiversity. The rich plant diversity of the region has been in use since the Vedic Period. Most of the medicinal plants are being extracted for drug and pharmaceutical industries from wild populations. This has adversely affected the very existence of a number of plants of high commercial value. Further, with the increasing world demand and renewed global interest in traditional ethnopharmacy coupled with the increasing preference for natural substances in the health care system, the natural stock of medicinal plants of the State is under tremendous pressure. Majority of the species are used in Ayurvedic, Unani and other traditional systems of medicine and also in the plant based pharmaceutical industries. In view of the importance of medicinal plants of the region, it has become necessary to review the diversity and conservation status of medicinal plants of Uttaranchal State. The present study recorded 701 species of medicinal plants. Of these 138 species were trees, 135 species were shrubs, 421 species were herbs and 7 species were ferns. Among the families Asteraeeae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Apiaceae, and Orchidaceae and among the genera Euphorbia, Polygonum, Allium, Ficus, Berberis, Swertia and Cassia showed the maximum representation of the species. Sixty six families were monotypic. Whole plants (179 spp.), ischolar_mains (120 spp.), leaves (56 spp.), fruits (12 spp.), seeds (25 spp.), flowers (10 spp.) and combinations of different parts (299 spp.) were used for the treatment of various ailments. Maximum diversity of medicinal plants was distributed in the zone of < 1800 m and gradually decreased with the increasing altitude. 178 species were native to the Himalayan region, 9 species were endemic and 104 species were near endemic. Seven species i.e., Saussurea costus (Endangered), Allium stracheyi, Berberis affinis, Dioscorea deltoidea, Nardostachys grandiflora, and Picrorhiza kurrooa (Vulnerable), and Pittosporum eriocarpum (Indeterminate) have been recorded in the Red Data Book of Indian Plants. Using new IUCN criteria these species along with others have been also categorized as Critically Endangered (18 spp.), Endangered (18 spp.), Vulnerable (22 spp.), Low Risk - Near Threatened (6 spp.) and Low Risk - Least Concern (I species). In- situ and ex- situ conservation initiatives have been also highlighted. Based on the distribution and potential values medicinal plants have been prioritized for cultivation in different altitude zones. Furthcr, appropriate action plan for the conservation and management of medicinal plants has been suggested.

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D. Adhikari ¹, Z. Reshi ², B. K. Datta ³, S. S. Samant ⁴, A. Chettri ⁵, K. Upadhaya ⁶, M. A. Shah ², P. P. Singh ¹, R. Tiwary ¹, K. Majumdar ³, A. Pradhan ⁵, M. L. Thakur ⁴, N. Salam ², Z. Zahoor ², S. H. Mir ², Z. A. Kaloo ², S. K. Barik ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793 022, IN
2 Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190 006, IN
3 Department of Botany, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar, Agartala 799 022, IN
4 G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development, Himachal Unit, Mohal-Kullu 175 101, IN
5 Department of Botany, Sikkim University, Gangtok 737 102, IN
6 Department of Basic Science and Social Science, School of Technology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793 022, IN

Abstract

Categorization of species under different threat classes is a pre-requisite for planning, management and monitoring of any species conservation programme. However, data availability, particularly at the population level, has been a major bottleneck in the correct categorization of threatened species. Till date, threat assessments have been mostly based on expert opinion and/or herbarium records. The availability of primary data on distribution of species and their p opulation attributes is limited in India because of inadequate field survey, which has been ascribed to resource constraints and inaccessibility. In this study, we demonstrate that ecological niche modelling (ENM) can be an economical and effective tool to guide surveys overcoming the above two constraints leading to the discovery of new populations of threatened species. Such data lead to improved threat assessment and more accurate categorization. We selected 14 threatened plants comprising 5 trees (Acer hookeri Miq., Bhesa robusta (Roxb.) Ding Hou, Gynocardia odorata Roxb., Ilex venulosa Hook. f. and Lagerstroemia minuticarpa Debb. ex P.C. Kanjilal), 8 herbs (Angelica glauca Edgew., Aquilegia nivalis Falc. ex Jackson, Artemisia amygdalina DC., Begonia satrapis C.B. Clarke, Corydalis cashmeriana Royle, Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo, Podophyllum hexandrum Royle, and Rheum australe D. Don), and 1 pteridophyte (Angiopteris evecta (Forst.) Hoffm.) having distribution range in North East India, Eastern and Western Himalaya, and Jammu and Kashmir. The study was carried out between 2012 and 2016. ENM-based survey led to the discovery and characterization of 348 new populations. The data so obtained helped in assigning conservation status to 10 species, which earlier were never classified due to data deficiency. Using the new population and distribution data of the remaining four species, only one was confirmed regarding its existing status and two species were classified as ‘Critically endangered’ instead of the present classification as ‘Endangered’. The fourth species was classified as ‘Critically endangered’ against the earlier category of ‘Least concerned’.

Keywords

Niche Modelling, Population Characterization, Threatened Plants, Threat Assessment.

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Khashti Dasila ¹, S. S. Samant ², Anita Pandey ³

Affiliations
1 Centre for Environmental Assessment and Climate Change, G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora 263 643, IN
2 Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla 171 013, IN
3 Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Bell Road, Clement Town, Dehradun 248 002, IN

Abstract

The present study was conducted in Hamta Pass area of Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, India with a focus on Betula utilis populations. Totally 16 populations of B. utilis representing four habitats and three aspects were studied. The maximum sites were represented by moist and moist, shaded habitats with northwestern aspect. Totally 188 plant species representing trees, shrubs and herbs were recorded. Acer acuminatum, Abies pindrow, Prunus cornuta and Quercus semecarpifolia were the major associated species of B. utilis in the subalpine zone of Hamta Pass. Based on importance value index five tree communities, namely A. acuminatum, A. pindrow, B. utilis, Q. semecarpifolia and B. utilis–P. cornuta mixed were identified. Among the communities, total density of trees, shrubs and herbs was recorded from 160 to 270, 300 to 515 and 21 to 33 individuals m^–2 respectively. The total basal area recorded was 6.94–42.10 m2 ha^–1, species richness 15–127, and species diversity for trees 0.4–0.9, shrubs 0.0–2.1 and herbs 1.7–4.2. The density and regeneration (i.e. seedlings and saplings) of B. utilis in most of the populations revealed that this species will continue to grow in the area. However, continued anthropogenic activities, climate change and other factors may cause population depletion in the study area.

Keywords

Betula utilis, Regeneration, Species Diversity, Species Richness, Subalpine Forests, Total Basal Area.

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