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

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.