Viraj Man Negi , N. S. Chauhan

Abstract

Himachal Pradesh, situated in the centre of the Western Himalayas, having diverse agroclimatic conditions ranging from semi-tropical to temperate, alpine and culminating to the cold desert region, is bestowed with a veritable emporium of medicinal and aromatic plants. Out of around 3,500 species, more than 1,000 species have been documented as medicinal and aromatic for the state occurring in Shivalik ranges, temperate forests, valley areas, sub-alpine and alpine pastures. A tribal district, Kinnaur of Himachal Pradesh, due to its unique geographical position and edapho-climatic conditions, has the distinction of being pioneer district in the state having rich natural resources of medicinal and aromatic plants. Kinnaur District is the largest supplier of Atish, Salampanja, Dhoop, Kutki, Bankakari, Chora, Talispatara, Revandchini, and Somlata in the country, whereas a few crops like Kuth, Kaser and Kalazeera are cultivated in Kinnaur. An exploration was undertaken for collection and identification of important medicinal and aromatic plants of the study area. The present paper highlights a total of 103 species from 79 genera belonging to 39 families, having medicinal and aromatic values, which are enlisted along with their botanical name, family, local/common name(s), part(s) used and their uses for different purposes. Out of total species, 26 species fall under different categories of threatened viz., Aconitum heterophyllum, Arnebia benthamii, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Podophyllum hexandrum, Taxus wallichiana, Aconitum violaceum, Angelica glauca, Corydalis govaniana, Dioscorea deltoidea, Picrorhiza kurrooa, Saussurea costus, Saussurea obvallata, Artemisia brevifolia, Artemisia dracunculus, Bergenia stracheyi, Delphinium brunonianum, Delphinium denudatum, Ferula jaeschkeana, Heracleum lanatum, Jurinea dolomiaea, Meconopsis aculeate, Polygonatum verticillatum, Rheum australe, Rhododendron anthopogon, Rhododendron campanulatum and Skimmia laureola. It is suggested that conservation of these endemic diversity of medicinal and aromatic plants from the study area is essential by means of different measures as early as possible, before these are wiped out from nature.

Keywords

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Tribal District Kinnaur, Himachal Himalayas

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N. S. Chauhan

Abstract

Himachal Pradesh, situated in the lap of the Western Himalayas, is considered a veritable emporium of medicinal and aromatic plants having diverse agro-climatic conditions ranging from semi-tropical to temperate, alpine and culminating in to the cold desert region. Out of around 3,500 species more than 1,000 species have been documented as medicinal and aromatic for the State occurring in Shiwalik ranges temperate forests, valley areas, sub-alpine and alpine pastures (both moist and dry). Himachal Pradesh is the largest supplier of Atish, Salampanja, Dhoop, Kutki, Bankakri, ehora, Daruhaldi, Talispatra, Revandchini, Vach and Somlata in the country. The entire pressure is on the wild popUlations and only a few crops like Kuth, Kalazeera, Kesar, Hops, are cultivated in Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. The present paper highlights 179 species of commercial importance for drugs and phyto-pharmaceuticaJs;. 32 species yielding essential oils; 16 species utilized for manufacturing of dhoop and incense; 30 species as source of phyto-chemicals; 40 species useful for tans and dyes and 42 species which can be used as potent substitute for exotic species, thereby discouraging their import and saving foreign exchange reserve. It is' suggested that the herbal resources of the State should be scientifically documented, commercial cultivation initiated compiled with value addition for ushering in economic prosperity to the people of this hill state.

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Meenakshi Bhardwaj , N. S. Chauhan , S. K . Pareek , Rekha Naithani , Rajesh Chauhan

Abstract

Medicinal plants require necessary conservation efforts for protection and sustainable use. Tribal community Kinnaura in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh has protected and conserved Saussurea obuollala, one of the endangered plant species of the Himalayas through their social and cultural traditions and have made an exemplary contribution by exhibiting as to how their traditional values could help in biodiversity conservation.

Keywords

Conservation, Saussurea obvaliata, Biodiversity, Sacred

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S. Krishnaswami , B. K. Purkayastha , N. S. Chauhan

Abstract

No abstract

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Meenakshi Bhardwaj , N. S. Chauhan , L. S. Kandari

Abstract

No Abstract

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Meenakshi Bhardwaj ¹, N. S. Chauhan ¹, Anjula Pandey ¹

Affiliations
1 National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012, IN

Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out to collect information on the available genetic resource of medical plants of the Kinnaura schedule tribes of Himachal Pradesh, India. A total of 49 species belonging to 412 genera and 27 families were reported as being used locally for the treatment of human ailment. Out of these 25species belong to different threat categories and have already entered the list of red data book. Kinnaura tribes have a strong faith on these traditional phytotherapies and the loss or endangered d\status of these plants will affect the health care practices of these tribes to a great extent. Hence, there is an urgent need for sustainable harvest and conservation of these valuable resources. The conservation based on indigenous knowledge is recommended.

Keywords

Folk, Medicinal Plant, Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh

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