Abstract
Present communication highlights the current population status of Arnebia euchroma (Royle ex Benth.) Johnston in cold desert areas of Himachal Pradesh. In order to assess the population structure of A. euchroma, various ecological surveys were carried out in the entire Spiti sub-division of Lahaul-Spiti District, Himachal Pradesh, where it is found naturally distributed in two different protected areas namely Pin Valley National Park and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. Population density (individuals/m2) and frequency (%) estimated using random quadrat sampling were observed higher in Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary in comparison to Pin Valley National Park. A comparison of the present data with the earlier reports from the study area shows a significant decline in the population of this valuable species.
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