A Contribution to the flora of Rajouri and Poonch districts in the Pir Panjal Himalaya (Jammu &amp;amp; Kashmir), India

Gh Hassan Dar,Anzar A Khuroo,Akhtar H Malik

doi:10.15560/10.2.317

Abstract

The current paper provides a taxonomic inventory of the vascular plant species collected by the authors during the last two decades from the Rajouri and Poonch districts, located along the Pir Panjal range in the Indian Himalayan State of Jammu and Kashmir. The inventory records a total of 352 species, which belong to 270 genera in 83 families. Of the total taxa, the angiosperms are represented by 331 species in 253 genera and 77 families; gymnosperms by 12 species in 9 genera and 3 families; and pteridophytes by 9 species in 7 genera and 3 families. Asteraceae is the largest family, contributing 42 species; while Artemisia is the largest genus, with 5 species. The inventory is expected to provide baseline scientific data for further studies on plant diversity in these two border districts, and can be used to facilitate the long-term conservation and sustainable use of plant resources in this Himalayan region.

Highlights

Of the various environmental problems faced in modern times, the loss of biodiversity is the most serious one
The Rajouri and Poonch districts are located on the southerly foothills of the Pir Panjal Himalaya in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir
Rajouri and Poonch, two border districts located on southerly foothills of the Pir Panjal Himalaya are botanically the least surveyed areas in the Jammu province of Jammu & Kashmir State, with very little and preliminary information available on their flora

Summary

Introduction

Of the various environmental problems faced in modern times, the loss of biodiversity is the most serious one. The global diversity of biota on the planet Earth is, so vast that only 1.7 % of it is scientifically known (Dar and Farooq 1997); this poses problems in assessing the taxa that are lost. Given such a perilous state of affairs, taxonomic inventory of biodiversity has gained much urgency worldwide. The Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir (J & K) in the Western Himalaya is one such region which has been recognized as floristically under-explored by the Botanical Survey of India (Dar et al 2012). Many of its plants are cited in the illustrious works of Hooker (1872-97) and Stewart (1972)

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Conclusion