Assessment of conservation status of five threatened Medicinal Plants at high altitude grassland in Bandipora Kashmir

Abstract

A high altitude grassland - Mantri Gali (34°30´ -36° N lat. and 74° 46´-55´ E long.; Alt. 2980–3650 mts.) at Bandipora Kashmir was studied to determine the conservation status of five threatened medicinal plants viz. Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Heracleum candicans, Podophyllum hexandrum, Polygonatum verticillatum and Rheum webbianum. Sampling was done between May-October, 2009–2011. Based on variation in environmental (elevation, slope, altitude, topography) and community attributes (habitat, vegetation type and plant community structure), four sites in four different habitat types viz. open meadow, lower grassy slopes, higher grassy slopes and higher rocky slopes were selected. Of the assessed species P. hexandrum was more frequent and present on all sites while the other species were less frequent with a low density and were restricted to either one or other site. Highest frequency (20.71%) and density (1.5 ind./m2) were recorded for P. hexandrum while D. hatagirea showed lowest frequency (0.71%) and density (0.02 ind./m2). The species preferred higher grassy slope while open meadow was colonized by many poisonous and weedy species. Based on our study, we suggest that although several conservation approaches are in place but these need to be strengthened and made flexible enough to accommodate the local communities and users, incorporating their issues and interests.