| Institution |
KASHMIR UNIVERSITY BOTANICAL GARDEN, DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY THE
UNIVERSITY OF KASHMIR, HAZRATBAL SRINAGAR 190006, JAMMU & KASHMIR. |
| Project Title |
Conservation Of Some Select Critically
Endangered Endemic Angiosperms Of Kashmir
Himalaya |
Duration |
Total Grant
(INR in Lakhs) |
Project
Leader(s) |
Dr. G. H. Dar / Dr. I.A. Nawchoo / Prof. B.A.
Wafai |
2 year |
4.016 |
| Summary of Aims/
Objectives of the Project |
| The Kashmir Himalaya is considered to be one of the 28
hotspots of endemic plant diversity in India. Not
withstanding their uniqueness in being confined to
just 0.48% of the landmass of India in the whole of
the world, many endemic species of Kashmir have suffered
greatly due to various unsustainable anthropogenic
practices. This has resulted in considerable shrinking
of their populations, rendering them threatened. About
40% of Kashmir endemics are endangered. Several of
these species are now listed in the Red Data Books
at regional (Dar & Naqshi, 2001), national (Nayar
& Sastri, 1987, 1988, 1990), and international
(IUCN, 1997) levels. Of these, the following 10 critically
endangered species are selected for this project:
Aconitum kashmiricum Stapf ex Coventry, Aquilegia
nivalis Falc. ex Baker, Artemisia amygdalina
Decne., Gentiana cachemirica Decne., Hedysarum
cachemirianum Benth. ex Baker, Lagotis cashmeriana
(Royle) Rupr., Meconopsis latifolia Prain,
Megacarpaea bifida Benth., M. polyandra
Benth., Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch.
All these species are economically very important
but face a high risk of extinction as they are being
excessively collected from the wild for medicinal
and other purposes. No efforts have so far been made
for conservation and sustainable management of these
species. It is aimed to conserve and propagate these
socio-economically important narrow endemics by maintaining
their populations ex situ in Kashmir University
BG so as to support their recovery and restoration
and to provide long-term back-up collections for sustained
use by the local populace. |
|
| Expected Outcome |
- Ex situ conservation and management of the ten target species through vegetative
and seed propagation, and also through micro-propagation techniques.
- Recovery and reintroduction of a few critically endangered species in to protected areas
in J&K Himalayas.
|
|
| Institution |
G.B. PANT
INSTITUTE OF HIMALAYAN ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, KOSI-
KATARMAL-263
643, ALMORA, UTTRANCHAL |
| Project Title |
Population
assessment and maintenance of
germplasm of selected multipurpose
trees and rare,
endangered medicinal plants in the Arboretum, Kosi-
Katarmal, Almora, Uttaranchal |
Duration |
Total Grant
(INR in Lakhs) |
Project
Leader(s) |
Dr S.S.Samant / Dr R.S.Rawal |
1 year |
2.00 |
| Summary of Aims/
Objectives of the Project |
Indian
Himalayan Region (IHR) is known for natural, representative,
and unique flora and fauna. It supports over 18,
440 species of plants, of which 1748 species are
medicinal plants, 675 species are wild edibles,
816 species are trees and 279 species are fodder.
Over 25 % species are endemic to IHR. The rich plant
diversity of the IHR is one of the major sources
of sustenance. Due to over exploitation and habitat
degradation the population of most of the economically
important species has decreased to a great extent.
To conserve such species in in-situ conditions 05
Biosphere Reserves; 28 National Parks and 98 Wildlife
Sanctuaries have been notified across the IHR. Further,
to complement the in-situ conservation of the species
with ex-situ conservation, Botanical Gardens, Arboreta,
and Herbal Gardens have been established through
out the Country. However, in the IHR well established
Botanical and Herbal Gardens, and Arboreta representing
the native, endemic, rare endangered and economically
viable species, were not available. Therefore, establishment
and maintenance of such arboretum at Kosi-Katarmal,
Almora, Uttaranchal, was started in 1993. The arboretum
(29 0 38’ 10” N to 79 0 37’ 30”
E; 71.03 acre area) is located at Kosi-Katarmal,
14 km away from district Head Quarters, Almora.
It has altitudinal range from 1100-1300m, amsl.
Over 250 species of plants growing over different
macro and micro- habitats have been reported. The
habitats of the area are being enriched through
plantations of trees, shrubs, herbs and pteridophytes.
The infrastructural facilities are glass house,
net house, green house, polyhouse, water -harvesting
tanks, nursery, and land (71.03 acre). The increasing
demand of economically important species particularly
fodder, fuel, timber, and medicinal plants has necessitated
to develop a strategy and action plan for the Conservation
of economically viable species. Inview of the importance
of multipurpose tree species and commercially viable
medicinal plants for the sustenance of local communities
the present project “Population assessment
and maintenance of germplasm of selected multipurpose
trees and rare, endangered medicinal plants in the
Arboretum, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, Uttaranchal”
has been proposed.
|
|
Taxa |
Conservation Status |
| Acorus calamus L. |
Critically Endangered |
| Bergenia
ligulata Engl. |
Vulnerable |
| Castanopsis
tribuloides (Sm.) DC. |
Threatened |
| Coleus
forskohlii (Willd.) Briq.
|
Vulnerable |
|
Emblica
officinalis Gaertn. |
Threatened |
| Gloriosa
superba L. |
Endangered |
| Quercus
glauca Thunb. |
Threatened |
| Quercus
lanuginosa Don |
Threatened |
| Quercus
leucotrichophora A. Camus |
Threatened |
| Salvia
lanata Roxb. |
Vulnerable |
| Terminalia chebula
Retz. |
Vulnerable |
| Valeriana
wallichii DC. |
Critically
Endangered |
|
| |
The specific aims and objectives
of the project are:
|
- To assess the populations of multipurpose trees, and rare-endangered medicinal plants.
- To monitor germination and survival of
the species.
- To establish and maintain germplasm in
the arboretum.
- To organize awareness camp and disseminate
seedlings to local communities and Research
Organizations.
|
|
| Expected Outcome |
- Detailed
information on population ecology of the
target species.
- Propagation protocols (conventional methods)
for the species.
- Establishment and maintenance of the species in the arboretum
will provide basic material to study the morphological and genetic
variability, tissue culture, hybridization and improvement work.
- Organization of awareness camp will help
in capacity building of the farmers, students
and teachers.
- Established arboretum will serve as an education
centre for students, teachers and researchers
and also a centre for recreation and aesthetic
value.
- Establishment and maintenance of the proposed
species will bring out list of seeds and
seedlings available for distribution to
local communities and maintain exchange
relations with other Botanical Gardens.
|
|
