Depleting Indigenous Knowledge of Medicinal Plants in Cold-Arid Region of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya

2015 ◽  
Vol 04 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
Singh AB Kumar A
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Arid Region ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Western Himalaya ◽  
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

scholarly journals Flora of Niti Valley: a cold arid region of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya, India

Check List ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Kumar ◽  
Monideepa Mitra ◽  
Bhupendra S. Adhikari ◽  
Gopal S. Rawat
Keyword(s):  
Arid Region ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Western Himalaya ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Present Survey ◽  
Floral Diversity ◽  
Current Survey ◽  
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Systematic Collection

Located in the extended buffer zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in Western Himalaya, Niti valley represents a cold arid region. The reserve has been extensively surveyed in terms of floral diversity by various workers, albeit highly confined to the core zones. The current survey recorded 495 species belonging to 267 genera and 73 families of vascular plants through systematic collection in the years 2011, 2012 and 2014. Of the recorded species, 383 were dicots, 93 monocots, 9 pteridophytes and 10 gymnosperms. Asteraceae was most diverse family (32 genera with 58 species), followed by Poaceae (22 genera with 41 species), Lamiaceae (15 genera with 19 species) Fabaceae (14 genera with 22 species), Brassicaceae (12 genera with 12 species) and Rosaceae (11 genera with 36 species). The present survey also updates the existing flora of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (801 species) with addition of 167 species. This study reveals that the Niti valley forms a transition zone, as the floral elements have affinity with Trans as well as Greater Himalaya.

scholarly journals New phytogeographically noteworthy plant records from Uttarakhand, western Himalaya, India

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 8943 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Kumar ◽  
Bhupendra Singh Adhikari ◽  
Gopal Singh Rawat
Keyword(s):  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Western Himalaya ◽  
The State ◽  
Diagnostic Features ◽  
Field Identification ◽  
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve ◽  
First Time

We recorded three species of angiosperms viz., Dontostemon glandulosus, Potentilla pamirica and Carex sagaensis for the first time from Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya. These species had not been reported from the state of Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya till date. Since these species are restricted in distribution and very little is known about them, we provide diagnostic features of these species along with photographs to aid field identification, phytogeographic and ecological notes. 

scholarly journals Threat Assessment and Prioritization of High-Value Medicinal Plants in Pindari Valley, Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 236-249
Author(s):  
Ravindra Kumar ◽  
Dhani Arya ◽  
K. Chandra Sekar ◽  
Monika Bisht
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Threat Assessment ◽  
Plant Resources ◽  
Threat Status ◽  
Threat Categories ◽  
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Aconitum Heterophyllum

The communication assesses the high-value medicinal plants reported in Pindari Valley, Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Uttarakhand, using a score-based method for prioritization and conservation. A total of 42 high-value medicinal plants were assessed, prioritized and scored on the basis of rapid threat assessment. Maximum threat was recorded for Aconitum heterophyllum followed by Picrorhiza kurrooa and Nardostachys jatamansi given their limited number of individuals observed in the study area as well as high utilization patterns. Minimum threat status was recorded for Epilobium angustifolium, where the species was found in higher density in its natural habitat. Among the recorded species, 64% were observed growing in grassland/alpine pastures and open/alpine slopes. 55% of species were native/endemic to Himalaya and 48% were extracted by the inhabitants. Underground portions (roots/rhizomes/tubers) of 40% of the species were utilized leading to destruction in natural habitat. Out of 42 medicinal plants, 16 species have been prioritized for conservation and recognized in different threat categories and most of these species are collected from natural habitat without scientific knowledge. Conclusion of the study might helpful for identifying threatened plants in the region so as to initiate sustainable use and conservation practices of high-value medicinal plant resources.

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