Residents in the hilly area of Indian Himalaya are largely dependent on tree resources for their ... more Residents in the hilly area of Indian Himalaya are largely dependent on tree resources for their livelihoods. The local knowledge and traditional practices are vanishing in rural areas due to drastic change in lifestyle and land use pattern. Diversity and tree species used by residents of Bhilangana watershed for their everyday needs have not yet been adequately recorded. Available information is mainly on ecology and geology of the region. Therefore, the aim of the study was to document tree diversity and extant local knowledge on tree species. Extensive surveys were conducted during 2018-19 to assess tree diversity, local knowledge on tree utilization through personal interview of 158 local residents. A total of 187 tree species belonging to 131 genera and 58 families were recorded and of these, 174 species were of ethno-botanical importance with at least one or multiples uses. Around 56.68% of tree species belonged to 15 dominant families. Ethno-botanical important species were c...
The physicochemical properties of soils of six forests varying in elevation (lower, middle, and u... more The physicochemical properties of soils of six forests varying in elevation (lower, middle, and upper), slope, aspects, and floristic composition viz. L1 (Oak mixed), L2 (Chir pine), M1 (Rhododendron mixed), M2 (Rhododendron mixed), U1 (Abies mixed) and U2 (Abies mixed) from Western Ramganga Valley (Chamoli, Uttarakhand Himalaya, India) were scrutinized. The composite soil samples from three depths (0–10 cm, 11–20 cm, and 21–30 cm) were collected during the different seasons and the physicochemical parameters were analyzed using standard manual and protocol. Texture, bulk density, moisture content, water holding capacity, organic matter, organic carbon, pH, nitrogen content, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium and C:N ratio of soil samples from each forest site were analyzed and discussed. It was observed that the physical properties of soils either do not vary across the three depths (0–10 cm, 11–20 cm, and 21–30 cm) or show slight changes whereas chemical properties show ...
A new species, Gentiana pringlei (Gentianaceae) has been collected from Suru valley in Kargil dis... more A new species, Gentiana pringlei (Gentianaceae) has been collected from Suru valley in Kargil district of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir. The new species shows morphological resemblance to G. loureiroi and G. napulifera, but differs from both in annual habit, absence of stolons, stem branched from base as well as from middle, three distinct veins on all the leaves, slightly keeled abaxially, purple flowers, ovate calyx lobes, sinus between calyx lobes truncate, corolla lobes oblong-elliptic, plicae bifid, shape and size of anthers and seeds small. The new species is described and illustrated here as Gentiana pringlei. In addition, the comparative morphological features with the sympatric species are tabulated.
The physico-chemical properties of soil vary with the variation in the topographic features, clim... more The physico-chemical properties of soil vary with the variation in the topographic features, climatic conditions and forest types. In any forest ecosystem, both vegetation and soil influence each other through nutrient cycles. The altitudinal variation in soil physico-chemical properties was analyzed in a temperate forest (Radi forest) of Upper Yamuna Forest Division in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand (Western Himalaya, India). A total of three forest sites were selected at different altitudes (the lower, middle, and upper) to collect composite soil samples from each site covering 0–10 cm, 11–20 cm and 21–30 cm depths. The textural class of the soils was sandy loam. The colour of the soil samples varied from brown to very dark brown. The water holding capacity (r = 0.994), soil organic carbon (r = 0.967), organic matter (r = 0.966), nitrogen (r = 0.993), phosphorus (r = 0.982) and potassium content (r = 0.994) had positive correlation with altitude whereas negative correlation wa...
Gentiana aperta belonging to the section Chondrophyllae under the genus Gentiana (Gentianaceae) f... more Gentiana aperta belonging to the section Chondrophyllae under the genus Gentiana (Gentianaceae) forms a new record to India from the Ladakh Himalaya. A detailed morphological account, photo plate and other relevant information are provided to facilitate easy identification.
A new species of Gentianella, G. tumailica sp. nov., from Tumail in the Kargil district of Ladakh... more A new species of Gentianella, G. tumailica sp. nov., from Tumail in the Kargil district of Ladakh, northwest Himalaya, India is described and illustrated. This novelity is morphologically similar to the sympatric G. stoliczka in inflorescence pattern, calyx and corolla shapes, sagitate anthers, more or less rounded seeds, but differs in smaller size of vegetative and floral structures, larger basal leaves, few cauline leaves, leaf apex obtuse to rounded, calyx lobes unequal (2 longer, 3 shorter), inflorescence enveloped by 4 foliaceous bracts, capsule elliptic to oblong and seed coat smooth. In addition, a diagnostic key to all Indian species of Gentianella is presented.
Abstract: The present study has been carried out in Alaknanda valley around Srinagar Hydroelectri... more Abstract: The present study has been carried out in Alaknanda valley around Srinagar Hydroelectric Power Project in Garhwal Himalaya, India, to document the medicinal uses of plants and their status of availability in the area. A total of 102 species belonging to 92 genera and 54 families were recorded from the study area. Out of the documented species 32 were herbs, 27 shrubs, 30 trees and the rest 13 were climbers. Of all the recorded plant species, 26 were abundant, 57 common and 19 uncommon to this area. A list of plant species along with their local names, plant part(s) used and mode of administration in different ailments has been given which can be utilized in the future for technological advancement, economic prosperity and providing employment opportunity to the local people. A management plan for conservation of medicinal plants in the hydroelectric power project area is also suggested. [Researcher. 2010;2(2):50-60]. (ISSN: 1553-9865).
India has more than 13% of the total livestock population of the world, but it does not have spec... more India has more than 13% of the total livestock population of the world, but it does not have specially identified and regularly managed pastures. Although about 12 million ha of the land in the country is officially recorded as the grazing land, a vast majority of the population depends on the forest for fodder. Livestock is considered as one of the main sources of livelihood, which depends mostly on fodder. Fodder is extracted from forests, grasslands, agricultural land, and agroforestry practices. Agriculture with animal husbandry is the main profession of rural people of this Himalayan region. Livestock plays an important role in the economy of Uttarakhand as it is the important source of income of rural people. There is a vast diversity of fodder plants. Demand for fodder is uniform throughout the year although unavailability of green forage during winter has always remained a serious issue resulting into nutritional deficiency in milching animals. Thus, there is a need to explore fodder plants in Garhwal Himalayas. The present study was conducted to find the diversity of fodder plants and their seasonal availability and mode of use in Chamoli district. The study covers some villages of Joshimath area of Chamoli district of Garhwal which lie in between 30°26′52.37″ to 30°33′02.52″ N latitude and 79°33′57.56″ to 79°41′34.79″ E longitude. The survey was conducted in the years 2014 and 2015. Information on locality, mode of use, and seasonal availability was recorded by interviewing the people of the studied villages. The findings recorded 89 fodder species representing trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, and climbers. During the rainy season, the availability of fodder is in plenty, but there is fodder crisis in other seasons of the year as people are not aware of scientific conservation of grasses for lean periods. It was observed that more fodder species are needed to be planted to increase the fodder availability in the area.
Residents in the hilly area of Indian Himalaya are largely dependent on tree resources for their ... more Residents in the hilly area of Indian Himalaya are largely dependent on tree resources for their livelihoods. The local knowledge and traditional practices are vanishing in rural areas due to drastic change in lifestyle and land use pattern. Diversity and tree species used by residents of Bhilangana watershed for their everyday needs have not yet been adequately recorded. Available information is mainly on ecology and geology of the region. Therefore, the aim of the study was to document tree diversity and extant local knowledge on tree species. Extensive surveys were conducted during 2018-19 to assess tree diversity, local knowledge on tree utilization through personal interview of 158 local residents. A total of 187 tree species belonging to 131 genera and 58 families were recorded and of these, 174 species were of ethno-botanical importance with at least one or multiples uses. Around 56.68% of tree species belonged to 15 dominant families. Ethno-botanical important species were c...
The physicochemical properties of soils of six forests varying in elevation (lower, middle, and u... more The physicochemical properties of soils of six forests varying in elevation (lower, middle, and upper), slope, aspects, and floristic composition viz. L1 (Oak mixed), L2 (Chir pine), M1 (Rhododendron mixed), M2 (Rhododendron mixed), U1 (Abies mixed) and U2 (Abies mixed) from Western Ramganga Valley (Chamoli, Uttarakhand Himalaya, India) were scrutinized. The composite soil samples from three depths (0–10 cm, 11–20 cm, and 21–30 cm) were collected during the different seasons and the physicochemical parameters were analyzed using standard manual and protocol. Texture, bulk density, moisture content, water holding capacity, organic matter, organic carbon, pH, nitrogen content, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium and C:N ratio of soil samples from each forest site were analyzed and discussed. It was observed that the physical properties of soils either do not vary across the three depths (0–10 cm, 11–20 cm, and 21–30 cm) or show slight changes whereas chemical properties show ...
A new species, Gentiana pringlei (Gentianaceae) has been collected from Suru valley in Kargil dis... more A new species, Gentiana pringlei (Gentianaceae) has been collected from Suru valley in Kargil district of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir. The new species shows morphological resemblance to G. loureiroi and G. napulifera, but differs from both in annual habit, absence of stolons, stem branched from base as well as from middle, three distinct veins on all the leaves, slightly keeled abaxially, purple flowers, ovate calyx lobes, sinus between calyx lobes truncate, corolla lobes oblong-elliptic, plicae bifid, shape and size of anthers and seeds small. The new species is described and illustrated here as Gentiana pringlei. In addition, the comparative morphological features with the sympatric species are tabulated.
The physico-chemical properties of soil vary with the variation in the topographic features, clim... more The physico-chemical properties of soil vary with the variation in the topographic features, climatic conditions and forest types. In any forest ecosystem, both vegetation and soil influence each other through nutrient cycles. The altitudinal variation in soil physico-chemical properties was analyzed in a temperate forest (Radi forest) of Upper Yamuna Forest Division in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand (Western Himalaya, India). A total of three forest sites were selected at different altitudes (the lower, middle, and upper) to collect composite soil samples from each site covering 0–10 cm, 11–20 cm and 21–30 cm depths. The textural class of the soils was sandy loam. The colour of the soil samples varied from brown to very dark brown. The water holding capacity (r = 0.994), soil organic carbon (r = 0.967), organic matter (r = 0.966), nitrogen (r = 0.993), phosphorus (r = 0.982) and potassium content (r = 0.994) had positive correlation with altitude whereas negative correlation wa...
Gentiana aperta belonging to the section Chondrophyllae under the genus Gentiana (Gentianaceae) f... more Gentiana aperta belonging to the section Chondrophyllae under the genus Gentiana (Gentianaceae) forms a new record to India from the Ladakh Himalaya. A detailed morphological account, photo plate and other relevant information are provided to facilitate easy identification.
A new species of Gentianella, G. tumailica sp. nov., from Tumail in the Kargil district of Ladakh... more A new species of Gentianella, G. tumailica sp. nov., from Tumail in the Kargil district of Ladakh, northwest Himalaya, India is described and illustrated. This novelity is morphologically similar to the sympatric G. stoliczka in inflorescence pattern, calyx and corolla shapes, sagitate anthers, more or less rounded seeds, but differs in smaller size of vegetative and floral structures, larger basal leaves, few cauline leaves, leaf apex obtuse to rounded, calyx lobes unequal (2 longer, 3 shorter), inflorescence enveloped by 4 foliaceous bracts, capsule elliptic to oblong and seed coat smooth. In addition, a diagnostic key to all Indian species of Gentianella is presented.
Abstract: The present study has been carried out in Alaknanda valley around Srinagar Hydroelectri... more Abstract: The present study has been carried out in Alaknanda valley around Srinagar Hydroelectric Power Project in Garhwal Himalaya, India, to document the medicinal uses of plants and their status of availability in the area. A total of 102 species belonging to 92 genera and 54 families were recorded from the study area. Out of the documented species 32 were herbs, 27 shrubs, 30 trees and the rest 13 were climbers. Of all the recorded plant species, 26 were abundant, 57 common and 19 uncommon to this area. A list of plant species along with their local names, plant part(s) used and mode of administration in different ailments has been given which can be utilized in the future for technological advancement, economic prosperity and providing employment opportunity to the local people. A management plan for conservation of medicinal plants in the hydroelectric power project area is also suggested. [Researcher. 2010;2(2):50-60]. (ISSN: 1553-9865).
India has more than 13% of the total livestock population of the world, but it does not have spec... more India has more than 13% of the total livestock population of the world, but it does not have specially identified and regularly managed pastures. Although about 12 million ha of the land in the country is officially recorded as the grazing land, a vast majority of the population depends on the forest for fodder. Livestock is considered as one of the main sources of livelihood, which depends mostly on fodder. Fodder is extracted from forests, grasslands, agricultural land, and agroforestry practices. Agriculture with animal husbandry is the main profession of rural people of this Himalayan region. Livestock plays an important role in the economy of Uttarakhand as it is the important source of income of rural people. There is a vast diversity of fodder plants. Demand for fodder is uniform throughout the year although unavailability of green forage during winter has always remained a serious issue resulting into nutritional deficiency in milching animals. Thus, there is a need to explore fodder plants in Garhwal Himalayas. The present study was conducted to find the diversity of fodder plants and their seasonal availability and mode of use in Chamoli district. The study covers some villages of Joshimath area of Chamoli district of Garhwal which lie in between 30°26′52.37″ to 30°33′02.52″ N latitude and 79°33′57.56″ to 79°41′34.79″ E longitude. The survey was conducted in the years 2014 and 2015. Information on locality, mode of use, and seasonal availability was recorded by interviewing the people of the studied villages. The findings recorded 89 fodder species representing trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, and climbers. During the rainy season, the availability of fodder is in plenty, but there is fodder crisis in other seasons of the year as people are not aware of scientific conservation of grasses for lean periods. It was observed that more fodder species are needed to be planted to increase the fodder availability in the area.
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