Research Article | Published: 22 March 2017

Fuel Yielding Species of Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in the Indian Trans Himalaya

Lipika Sharma, Sher Singh Samant and Ashish Kumar

Journal of Non-Timber Forest Products | Volume: 24 | Issue: 1 | Page No. 21-27 | 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps2000-2017-U6Z0K6 | Cite this article

Abstract

Fuel is major source of domestic energy and depends upon the type of species available in the area. The tribal communities of Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (CDBR) lead agro-pastoral lifestyle in which they heavily depend on local resources for fuel wood. The available studies indicated that comprehensive study on fuel resource is not available for the CDBR. Therefore, an attempt has been made to; (i) assess the diversity, distribution and utilization pattern of fuel resource; (ii) identify nativity and endemism of the fuel species; and (iii) suggest management options for conservation. The present study recorded 46 species of fuel representing trees (06 spp.), shrubs (37spp.) and herbs (03 spp.). Caprifoliaceae and Salicaceae (08 spp., each) were dominant families, and Lonicera (08 spp.) and Salix (07 spp.) were species rich genera. Maximum species were found in the 3000 ~ 4000 m zone. Amongst, fuel species, Caragana versicolor, Kracheninnikovia cerastoides, Lonicera spinosa and Salix spp. were the most preferred species from pastures for fuel wood. Only 22 species were native to the Himalayan region, 01 species i.e., Cotoneaster gilgitensis was endemic and 10 species were near endemic. Assessment of fuel species using ecological method (quadrat), study the extraction trends, develop conventional propagation protocols for mass multiplication  and their establishment in the in-situ and ex-situ conditions, and create awareness among the tribal communities have been suggested.

Keywords

Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve, Fuel, Diversity, Distribution, Nativity, Trans Himalaya, Himachal Pradesh

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How to cite

Sharma, L., Samant, S.S. and Kumar, A., 2017. Fuel Yielding Species of Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in the Indian Trans Himalaya. Journal of Non-Timber Forest Products, 24(1), pp.21-27. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps2000-2017-U6Z0K6

Publication History

Manuscript Published on 22 March 2017

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