World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

ANALYSIS OF SPECIES DIVERSITY AND INDIGENOUS UTILIZATION OF VASCULAR PLANTS IN TANDI NAG, SACRED GROVES, IN DISTRICT KULLU, HIMACHAL PRADESH

Pooja Kumari, *R. K. Rana and Chanderkanta Vats

ABSTRACT

The inhabitants of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) are largely dependent upon the floral diversity for their subsistence, apparently for the fulfillment of their basic needs i.e., fuel, fodder, medicines, agricultural tools, house buildings, essential oil, edible/food, fiber and for various other purposes. Sacred Groves are treasure house of these natural resources. In spite of their high importance, the Sacred Groves of the Indian Himalaya particularly in Himachal Pradesh are poorly explored. Therefore, an attempt has been made to, (i) assess the ethnobotanically important floristic diversity;(ii) investigate indigenous uses of the ethnobotanically important species; (iii) assess the native and endemic species; and (iv) suggest strategy for conservation, in Tandi Nag Sacred Grove, Kullu Himachal Pradesh. Total 163 species representing trees (17spp.), shrubs (34spp.), herbs (106spp.) and ferns (06spp.) were recorded. Various parts such as whole plants, aerial parts, leaves, flowers, fruits, roots, inflorescence, etc. were used by the inhabitant for curing various diseases/ ailments. Out of total, 84 species were found to be native and 02 species were endemic to Himalayan region. Management options for the conservation and sustainable utilization of the species have been suggested.

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