Research Article | Published: 01 March 2016

Wild Edible Plant Diversity in Pinus gerardiana Wall. ex D. Don Forests of Kinnaur District, Himachal Pradesh, India

Joginder  Singh, A.  Rajasekaran, A. K. Negi and Vijender Pal Panwar

Indian Journal of Forestry | Volume: 39 | Issue: 1 | Page No. 13-20 | 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2016-IN2DJ9 | Cite this article

Abstract

Wild edible plant species diversity in Pinus gerardiana forests of district Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh was assessed following quadrat method using stratified random sampling. A total of 55 plant species comprising of five trees, 21 shrubs and 29 herb species have been recorded in the study area. Out of the total recorded plant species, 54.55 per cent were edible and 45.45 per cent were non-edible. Among trees, P. gerardiana was recorded with the highest density of 206.77 trees/ha, basal area of 22.43 m2/ha and IVI value of 252.81. Among edible shrubs a rarely used plant, Daphne oleoides was the most dominant species with highest density (0.21 bushes/9m2), frequency (21.23%) and IVI (71.55). In case of herbs, Thymus serphyllum had the highest density of 2.91 individuals/m2, frequency (12.04%) and IVI (31.57). During the present study, it has been observed that the P. gerardiana is an important commercial tree species exploited for its edible nuts. However due to over-exploitation, grazing, habitat degradation and other biotic threats its natural regeneration is dwindling. Besides this important natural resource, other species viz., Prunus persica, Berberis aristata, Elaeagnus umbellata, Chenopodium album, Pyhtolacca acinosa etc., also have market potential, however adequate emphasis has not been laid on their propagation and conservation. The results also revealed that many wild species are under growing pressures from various anthropogenic factors. Therefore, it is suggested that large-scale awareness programmes on wild edible plants should be initiated and these species should be included in the forestry/rural plantation programmes. Further, propagation plan needs to be developed on important wild edible plant species and people should be encouraged to grow these wild edible plants of commercial importance which will reduce the pressure on the wild populations growing in the forest areas.

Keywords

Wild Edible Plants, Density, Over-exploitation, Pinus gerardiana, Kinnaur District, Himachal Pradesh

Access Options

250/-

Buy Full Access in HTML Format

Instant access to the full article.

Get access to the full version of this article. Buy Full Access in HTML Format

References

1. Anon. (1954). A note on Kinnars, Man in India 34: 40. https://doi.org/10.2307/2795243

Google Scholar

2. Arora, R.K. and Pandey, A. (1996). Wild Edible Plants of India. Conservation and use. ICAR. National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi.

Google Scholar

3. Aswal, B.S. and Mehrotra, B.N. (1994). Flora of Lahaul-Spiti - A cold desert in North-West Himalaya. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehra Dun, India.

Google Scholar

4. Bahuguna, A., Phondani, P.C., Negi, V.S., Rawat, L.S.,  Maikhuri R.K.,  Joshi, P.C. and Bisht, N.S. (2010). Floristic diversity and indigenous uses of forest vegetation of Dabka watershed in Indian Central Himalaya. Ethnobotanical Leaflets, 14:491-510.

Google Scholar

5. Balokhra, J.M. (1998). The wonderland Himachal Pradesh. H.G. Publication, New Delhi.

Google Scholar

6. Chauhan, B.S. (1986). Regeneration in Chilgoza Pine. Proc. of Conf. on Siviculture. 7 pp.

Google Scholar

7. Champion, H.G. and Seth, S.K. (1968). A Revised Survey of Forest Types of India, Govt. of India Press, New Delhi.

Google Scholar

8. Chib, S.S. (1978). Kanauar of the Trans-Himalaya. Ess Ess Publication, New Delhi.

Google Scholar

9. Curtis, J.T. and McIntosh, R.P. (1950). Inter-relation of certain analytic and synthetic phytosociological characters. Ecology, 31: 434-455. https://doi.org/10.2307/1931497

Google Scholar

10. Dhaliwal, D.S. and Sharma, M. (1999). Flora of Kullu District (Himachal Pradesh). Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehra Dun, India.

Google Scholar

11. Dhanai, C.S. and Panwar, V.P. (1999). Role of aspect and soil on the structure and composition of Quercus floribunda natural stands in Garhwal Himalaya. Indian Forester, 125(12): 1204-1213.

Google Scholar

12. Dhanai, C.S. and Panwar, V.P. (2008). Impact of aspect and soil on the structure and composition of Quercus glauca natural stands in Himalayan subtropical forest. Annals of Forestry, 16(1): 25-32.

Google Scholar

13. Dhanai, C.S., Panwar, V.P. and Sharma, C.S. (2000). Effect of aspect and soil on the structure of Quercus leucotriphora natural stands in Western Himalaya. Indian Journal of Forestry, 23(3): 349-356.

Google Scholar

14. Dhar, U., Rawat, R.S. and Samant, S.S. (1997). Structural diversity and representativeness of forest vegetation in a protected area of Kumaun Himalaya, India: Implications for Conservation. Biodiversity and Conservation, 6(8): 1045-1062. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018375932740

Google Scholar

15. Dogra, P.D. (1964) Gymnosperms of India - II. Chilgoza pine (Pinus geraradiana Wall.). Bulletin No. 109. National Botanical Gardens, Lucknow, India.

Google Scholar

16. Gairola, S., Rawal, R.S. and Todaria, N.P. (2008). Forest vegetation patterns along an altitudinal gradient in sub-alpine zone of West Himalaya, India. African Journal of Plant Science, 2(6): 042-048.

Google Scholar

17. Joshi, H.C. (2002). Assessment of habitat diversity, forest vegetation and human dependence in the buffer zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve of West Himalaya. Ph.D. Thesis, Kumaun University, Nainital, India.

Google Scholar

18. Joshi, H.C. and Samant, S.S. (2004). Assessment of forest vegetation and prioritization of communities for conservation in a part of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, West Himalaya, India. International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, 11: 326-336. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504500409469835

Google Scholar

19. Kala, C.P. and Uniyal, V.K. (1999). Forest vegetation along an altitudinal gradient in the Valley of Flower National Park and its vicinity, Western Himalayan. Annals of Forestry, 7: 60-69.

Google Scholar

20. Kalakoti, B.S., Pangtey, Y.P.S. and Saxena, A.K. (1986). Quantitative analysis of high altitude vegetation of Kumaun Himalaya. Journal of Indian Botanical Society, 65: 384-396.

Google Scholar

21. Knight, D.H. (1963). A distance method for constructing forest profile diagram and obtaining structural data. Tropical Ecology, 4: 89-94.

Google Scholar

22. Kumar, R. (2000). Working Plan for the Forests of Kinnaur Forest Division (1999-2000 to 2014-2015), Himachal Pradesh State Forest Department, Government of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, India.

Google Scholar

23. Misra, R. (1968). Ecology Work Book. Oxford and IBH Publ. Co. Calcutta.

Google Scholar

24. Monk, C.D. (1967). Tree species diversity in the eastern deciduous forest with particular reference to North Central Florida. American Naturalist, 101: 173-187. https://doi.org/10.1086/282482

Google Scholar

25. Murali, K.S., Shankar, U., Shaanker, R.U., Ganeshaiah, K.N. and Bawa, K.S. (1996). Extraction of non-timber forest products in the forests of Biligiri Rangan Hills, India. 2. Impact of NTFP extraction on regeneration, population structure, and species composition. Economic Botany, 50(3): 252-269. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02907329

Google Scholar

26. Negi, H. (2002). Studies on woody species diversity of Sangla Valley, District Kinnaur Himachal Pradesh, M.Sc. Thesis. Department of Tree Improvement, College of Forestry, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP).

Google Scholar

27. Negi, R.K. (2004). Studies on some wild fruits of Kalpa area of Kinnaur District. M.Sc. Thesis, Department of Tree Breeding and Genetic Resources, College of Horticulture, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) India.

Google Scholar

28. Pant, S. and Samant, S.S. (2007). Assessment of plant diversity and prioritization of communities for conservation in Mornaula Reserve Forest. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 5(2): 151-166. https://doi.org/10.15666/aeer/0502_123138

Google Scholar

29. Phillips, E.A. (1959). Methods of Vegetation Study. Henry Holt & Company, New York.  

Google Scholar

30. Ralhan, P.K., Saxena, A.K. and Singh, J.S. (1982). Analysis of forest vegetation at and around Nainital in Kumaon Himalayas, Proc. Ind. Nat. Sci. Acad., B. 48 (1): 121-137.

Google Scholar

31. Rawat, G.S., Adhikari, B.S., and Rana, B.S. (2001). Vegetation surveys in the Indian Trans Himalaya. In: Anon., (ed.) Conserving Biodiversity, in the Indian Trans Himalaya: New Initiatives of Field Conservation in Ladakh, Report - Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun.

Google Scholar

32. Risser, P.G. and Rice, E.L. (1971). Diversity in tree species in Oklahoma upland forests species. Ecology, 52: 876-880. https://doi.org/10.2307/1936036

Google Scholar

33. Samant, S. S. and Dhar, U. (1997). Diversity, endemism and economic potential of wild edible plants of Indian Himalaya. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 4(3): 179 – 191 https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509709469953

Google Scholar

34. Samant, S.S., Joshi, H.C., Arya, S.C. and Pant, S. (2002). Studies on the structure, composition and changes of the vegetation in Nanda Devi Biosphere of West Himalaya. Final Technical Report Submitted to Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi.

Google Scholar

35. Saxena, A.K. (1979). Ecology of Vegetation Complex of North-Western Catchment of River Gola. Ph.D. Thesis. Kumaun University Nainital.

Google Scholar

36. Saxena, A.K. and Singh, J.S. (1982). A phytosociological analysis of woody species in forest communities of a part of Kumaon Himalaya. Vegetatio, 50: 3-22. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00120674

Google Scholar

37. Saxena, A.K. and Singh, J.S. (1984). Tree population structure of certain Himalayan forest associations and implication concerning their future composition. Vegetatio, 58: 61-69. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00044928

Google Scholar

38. Sehgal, R.N. and Khosla, P.K. (1986): Chilgoza pine the threatened Social Forestry Tree of Dry Temperate Himalaya. National Symposium on Research in Social Forestry for Rural Development, January 1-2.

Google Scholar

39. Sehgal, R.N. and Sharma, P.K. (1989): Chilgoza: the Endangered Social Forestry Pine of Kinnaur. Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni-Solan, India. Technical Bulletin No. FBTI 1: 1-8.

Google Scholar

40. Sharma, P. (2004). Floristic dynamic and distribution pattern of woody plants in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. Ph.D. Thesis, Department of Tree Improvement, College of Forestry, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) India.

Google Scholar

41. Singh, A. and Samant, S.S. (2010). Conservation prioritization of habitats and forest communities in the Lahaul valley of proposed cold desert biosphere reserve, north Western Himalaya, India. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 8(2): 101-117. https://doi.org/10.15666/aeer/0802_101117

Google Scholar

42. Singh, J.S. and Singh, S.P. (1992): Forest of Himalaya: Structure, Functioning and Impact of Man. Gyanodaya Prakashan, Nainital, India.

Google Scholar

43. Singh, R.V., Khanduri, D.C. and Lal, K. (1973): Chilgoza pine (Pinus gerardiana) regeneration in Himachal Pradesh. Indian Forester, 3: 126-133. 

Google Scholar

44. Singh, S.K. and Rawat, G.S. (1999). Floral diversity and vegetation structure in Great Himalayan National Park, Western Himalaya. Final Technical Report, FREEP-GHNP research project, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.

Google Scholar

45. Sundriyal, M. (1999). Distribution, propagation and nutritive value of some wild edible plants of Sikkim Himalayas. Ph.D. Thesis, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar, India.

Google Scholar

46. Sundriyal, M. and Sundriyal, R.C. (2001). Wild edible plants of the Sikkim Himalaya: nutritive values of selected species. Economic Botany, 55(3): 377-390. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02866561

Google Scholar

47. Sundriyal, M. and Sundriyal, R.C. (2004). Dietary use of wild plant resources in the Sikkim Himalaya, India. Economic Botany, 58(4): 626-638. https://doi.org/10.1663/0013-0001(2004)058[0626:DUOWPR]2.0.CO;2

Google Scholar

48. Tandon, J.C. (1963). Revised Working Plan for the Kinnaur and Kochi forests (Upper Sutlej Valley), Himachal Pradesh, 1961-62 to 1975-76, Himachal Pradesh Forest Department.

Google Scholar

49. Tardío, J., Pardo-De-Santayana, M. and Morales, R. (2006). Ethnobotanical review of wild edible plants in Spain. Botanical Journal of the Linnaean Society, 152: 27–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8339.2006.00549.x

Google Scholar

50. UNESCO/UNEP/FAO. (1978). Tropical Forest Ecosystem: A State of Knowledge Report. UNESCO, Paris, France.

Google Scholar

51. Upreti, N., Tewari, J.C. and Singh, S.P. (1985). The oak forests of Kumaun Himalaya (India): composition, diversity, and regeneration. Mountain Research and Development, 5: 163-174. https://doi.org/10.2307/3673255

Google Scholar

52. Verma, R.K. and Kapoor, K.S. (2010). Phyto-sociological studies in Hitch valley of Rakchham Chitkul wildlife sanctuary of District Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. Biological Forum- An International Journal, 2(2): 94-104.

Google Scholar

53. Verma, R.K. and Kapoor, K.S. (2010a). Assessment of floristic diversity in Pooh valley of cold deserts of District Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. Biological Forum-An International Journal, 2(1): 35-44.  

Google Scholar

54. Verma, R.K., Kapoor, K.S., Subramani, S.P. and Jishtu, V. (2003). Assessment of plant species diversity in Betula utilis D.Don forest in cold arid region of Himachal Pradesh. Environ. Ecol., 21(4): 922-927.

Google Scholar

About this article

How to cite

Singh, J., Rajasekaran, A., Negi, A.K. and Panwar, V.P., 2016. Wild Edible Plant Diversity in Pinus gerardiana Wall. ex D. Don Forests of Kinnaur District, Himachal Pradesh, India. Indian Journal of Forestry, 39(1), pp.13-20. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2016-IN2DJ9

Publication History

Manuscript Published on 01 March 2016

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: