Diversity, Distribution, Indigenous Uses and Conservation of Medicinal Plants in Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary, North Western Himalaya

Abstract

In the Indian Himalayan Region, the use of medicinal plants is still a tradition continued by local people or ethnic communities and Traditional Medicine Systems play an important role in daily health care of poor people. The use of plants as medicine is slowly increasing in the developed world because they have minor or no side effects. The present study was conducted in Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary of Himachal Pradesh as the total dependency of the stakeholders on nearby forests for medicinal resources. In the present study, we reported 371 plant species that are used by the people in and around Nargu WLS as medicine. Distribution of maximum species (297 spp.) occurred between 1801-2800 m zone and only 40 species were present above 3800m. Of the total medicinal species recorded, 163 spp. were native to the Himalayan region and 24 spp. native to the Himalaya and other biogeographically regions. Rests (184 spp.) were non-native. The most frequently cured disease category (108 spp.) was gastrointestinal disease. Stakeholders of the Sanctuary and surrounding villages have rich indigenous knowledge of the use of medicinal plants to maintain their primary health. Traditional herbal remedies are important and effective because many traditional uses are scientifically proven through phytochemical and pharmacological studies. However, a large number of plant species remain untested for bio-efficacy and toxicity. Such tests may reveal novel remedies that have bioprospecting potential. Moreover, the study emphasizes the need for the conservation of such precious medicinal resource of the area by managing and conserving the natural habitats, checking unscientific exploitation and by applying in-situ and various ex-situ conservation methods.