Balwant Rawat , K. Chandra Sekar , Sanjay Gairola

Abstract

The Sunderdhunga valley harbors a number of medicinal plants used by the local people in different purposes. A total of 76 ethnomedicinal plants have been enumerated in the present communication with correct binomials, family, life form, local name along with detailed ethnomedicinal uses. These species belong to 27 families and 56 genera. Out of total species recorded, 82% belongs to only 11 families, on the other hand 48% of total families represented by single species. Fifteen of the recorded species are categorized under different threat category, constituting about 20% of total species. Major cause of depletion of these species is over exploitation of the wild populations and illegal trade. Important measures required to conserve the biodiversity of the valley include documentation of the traditional ecological and remedial knowledge of the locals for sustaining future generation and motivation to cultivate rare or threatened species in nearby villages.

Keywords

Critically Endangered, Ethnomedicine, Vulnerable, Western Himalaya

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K. Chandra Sekar ¹, Aseesh Pandey ¹, S. K. Srivastava ², Lalit Giri ¹

Affiliations
1 G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development Kosi - Katarmal, Almora - 263 643, Uttarakhand, IN
2 Botanical Survey of India, Northern Regional Centre, 192-Kaulagarh Road, Dehradun - 248 195, Uttarakhand, IN

Abstract

The present paper deals with the invasive alien plants found in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. A total number of 125 invasive alien species under 83 genera, belonging to 39 families have been recorded based on field observations, herbarium and literature consultation. Tropical American elements contribute 75% of alien species found in the state. Among the invasive, annuals comprise 63%, herbs constitute 79% and only four tree species recorded as invasive species. Invasive species based habitat shows that 44% of invasive species were most abundant in wasteland, while cultivated fields, roadsides and forests were preferred by 20, 16 and 9% species respectively. Among the invasive alien elements, 70 species (56%) are being used by local inhabitants for different medicinal uses. Early detection and monitoring of naturalized weeds are essential for better control.

Keywords

Invasive Species, Himachal Pradesh, India.

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