The Indian Himalayan Region is one of the richest reservoirs of biological diversity in the world and is considered as a store house of the valuable medicinal plants. In the remote areas of Indian Himalaya, the inhabitants are largely dependent on plants for curing various diseases/ailments. But, due to urbanization and modernization, the indigenous knowledge and traditional practices of medicinal plants are vanishing fast. The Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh is one of the twelve districts, and is a veritable emporium of herbal plants and consists of five blocks (Kullu, Anni, Banjar, Naggar and Nirmand). Nirmand Block (31^o25’28"N and 77^o34’36"E) covers an area of 77.45 km². The medicinal plants wealth of Nirmand valley has not been explored so far. Therefore, an attempt has been made to; (i) assess the medicinal plants diversity; (ii) document indigenous uses and practices; (iii) analyze for nativity and endemism; and (iv) suggest strategy for the conservation and management of the species. The present study recorded first hand information on 41 species of medicinal plants belonging to 39 genera and 29 families from the Nirmand Block. The recorded species represent trees (06 spp.), shrubs (06 spp.) and herbs (29 spp.). Different parts of these species, such as whole plants, roots, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, stems, barks, etc. were used by the inhabitants for curing various diseases. Twenty seven (27) species were natives and 14 species non-natives to the Himalayan region. Due to changing environmental conditions and habitat degradation, the populations of many species are depleting fast. Therefore, studies on habitat ecology, development of conventional and in-vitro propagation protocols and introduction in cultivation and natural habitats are suggested.

The seeds of Syzygium travancoricum and survival of seedlings in natural habitats was observed in detail and recorded as lower than 2%. Detailed investigations on seed germination of this taxon revealed that the rate of germination fluctuate 2% to a maximum 8% under normal natural conditions. However, 70-80% germination has been achieved by soaking in monocrotophose 36% solution (50 ml in 1500 ml water). It is observed that the percentage of germinations was varied from 5%-80% accordance with different concentration levels of monocrotophose solution between the temperature from 280C to 320C temperature and at varied humidity from 75% to 85%. The optimum temperature and humidity for seed germination of Syzygium travancoricum was found as 30±20C and 80 ±5 %.

An investigation was undertaken with Bixa orellana the test tree species to standardize ideal Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) techniques for improving the growth of B. orellana seedlings, so as to obtain the best quality seedling within a shortest nursery period. A nursery experiment was conducted by raising Bixaorellana Linn., seedlings in polybags filled with standard soil mixture 2:1:1 (Soil: Sand: FYM) with three levels of nitrogen (100, 200 and 300 mg N per seedling) as urea, three levels of phosphorus (200, 300 and 400 mg P₂O₅ per seedling) as single super phosphate and three levels of potassium (100, 200 and 300 mg of K₂O per seedling) as muriate of potash along with Farm Yard Manure (100g) per seedling, Azospirillum (5g) per seedling, Phosphobacteria (5g) per seedling and Vermicompost (5g) per seedling. The results revealed that the shoot and root length, collar diameter and number of leaves were increased by INM treatments. Application of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O (200: 300: 200 mg) along with Vermicompost (5g), Azospirillum (5g) and Phosphobacteria (5g) per seedling (T₁₁) proved to be the ideal dose to improve above said parameters. The same treatment was also the best in enhancing the dry matter production, volume index, quality index and total chlorophyll.

Dzongu valley is richly endowed with the bamboo resources and it plays an important role in socio-economy of Lepcha tribe which inhabit the valley. Lepchas are known for their skill and traditional knowledge on bio-resources. They use bamboo for construction of houses, making baskets, prayer flag pole, bow, arrow, fishing devices, house hold articles, handicrafts etc. The present paper deals with documentation of bamboo species occurring in Dzongu valley, along with their local name and traditional products.

The study of species diversity and ethnobotanical uses of grass and sedge species was conducted during 2008-2011 in the tarai region of Kumaun. The study area is located in Lalkuan of Nainital district and Kichha tehsil covering Pantnagar in district Udhamsingh Nagar as they occupy main part of central tarai region. The entire study area was divided into three sites and eight communities. The plant species were collected seasonally i.e. summer, rainy and winter. Total 41 grass and 17 sedge species were collected during the study period and 35 grass and 4 sedge species were found of ethnobotanical importance. Their ethnobotanical uses were identified through oral communication with local as well as migrant people settled in the region. It was found during study period that climate was favourable for the growth of grass and sedge.

This paper highlights an additional locality for eight different flowering plants from Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts, Tamil Nadu, India.

Amomum pauciflorum Baker (Zingiberaceae), a rare plant species earlier recorded from Meghalaya, India is reported for the first time from Assam, India. A detailed description along with distribution and photographs have been provided in this paper for its easy identification.

Mahe, U.T. of Puducherry occupies a unique geographical position near to the Arabian Sea. It covers an area of 9km². A preliminary study on the grass flora of Mahe was carried out. It resulted in the documentation of 58 taxa belonging to 38 genera. In addition, the status, threats and their conservation strategies are also discussed.

The floristic and ethnobotanical exploration of Valmiki Tiger Reserve present here the ethnomedicinal uses of 70 plants species belonging to 62 genera and 39 families by the local communities and Tharu of this Reserve. Among 82 ethnomedicinal preparations, 39 preparations of 36 species are new as they have not been reported in earlier published literature.

This paper highlights a brief description of Family Amaranthaceae is provided along with its ethnomedicinal uses. Angiosperms include 1 family belong to 4 genera and 5 plant species have been enumerated from Uttar Pradesh with focus on their ethnomedicinal uses.

Frequent ethnobotanical surveys were conducted between August 2004 to March 2008 in different tribal inhabited villages of Ratlam district (M. P.). These surveys were carried out to identify the multipurpose usable plants in the tribal inhabited villages of the district. Results of these surveys indicated that 24 Angiosperm plant species of 23 genera under 19 families are used by the tribal people for making agricultural tools, musical instruments and domestic goods. For each species the information regarding the botanical names, local names, family and ethnobotanical uses have been provided.

The present floristic and ethnobotanical studies were conducted in the year 2008 to 2011 in central tarai region. The study site includes, Pantnagar and Kichha tehsil in Udham Singh Nagar and Lalkuan in Nainital district. The exploration was taken in three sites and eight communities in different seasons. During the floristic study, 429 plant species were collected; in which 121 species were weed. In weed species, the number of herb is maximum with 75 followed by grass 18, sedge 17, under shrub 06 and shrub 05 species. The maximum number of weed species was found in Site I i.e. in Pantnagar 121 followed by 83 species in Site II and 82 in Site III Kichha and Lalkuan respectively. The alternative use of weed species was based on oral communication by local as well as migrant people and as cited in literature. The present information on the distribution of various weed species in different habitats, crop fields of the three sites is an important investigation and has an applied significance in effective weed management and crop yield improvement process.