Research Article | Published: 15 April 2023

Diversity, endemism, indigenous uses and threat status of medicinal plants in Shivalik Hills of Himachal Pradesh, North Western Himalaya, India

Jyoti, Sher Singh Samant, Lalit Mohan Tewari and Shiv Paul

Journal of Non-Timber Forest Products | Volume: 30 | Issue: 1 | Page No. 8-28 | 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps2000-2023-9NJAI0 | Cite this article

Abstract

Indian Himalayan Region is known globally since the Vedic time for its rich resources. Due to less accessibility to basic facilities, communities of the Himalaya are well adopted with forests for curing various ailments. The present study has been conducted in Shivalik Hills of Himachal Pradesh. A total of 330 medicinal plants belonging to 85 families and 263 genera were recorded. 40 species were native to the Himalayan Region and 27 species were native to the Himalayan Region and other biogeographical regions, together, 01 species was endemic, 23 species were near endemic. Leaves, roots and whole plants were utilized in majority of cases. The analysis revealed that maximum species were used for fever, skin diseases, cough, dysentery and stomach problems. Acorus calamus, Berberis asiatica, Cheilocostus speciosus, Cinnamomum tamala, Gloriosa superba, Pittosporum eriocarpum, Rauvolfia serpentina, Terminalia chebula, etc. were identified as threatened species. Due to habitat degradation, biological invasion, over-exploitation and changing environmental conditions, the populations of these medicinal plants are facing high pressures. Therefore, identification of Medicinal Plants Conservation Areas (MPCAs), frequent monitoring of habitats, extraction trend of medicinal plants, education, awareness and participation of the local inhabitants have been suggested.

Keywords

Altitudinal range, Assessment, Conservation, Distribution, Nativity, Overexploitation

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How to cite

Jyoti, Samant, S.S., Tewari, L.M. and Paul, S., 2023. Diversity, endemism, indigenous uses and threat status of medicinal plants in Shivalik Hills of Himachal Pradesh, North Western Himalaya, India. Journal of Non-Timber Forest Products, 30(1), pp.8-28. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps2000-2023-9NJAI0

Publication History

Manuscript Received on 06 March 2023

Manuscript Revised on 05 April 2023

Manuscript Accepted on 08 April 2023

Manuscript Published on 15 April 2023

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