Kunzes Angmo
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, India
Title: Plant resource availability and harvesting pressure in Khardung La, Ladakh
Biography
Biography: Kunzes Angmo
Abstract
Khardungla (Ladakh) is a hot spot for medicinal plant collection by locals and traditional healers but the information on the diversity and abundance of plants is lacking which is important from the management point of view. Field surveys were carried out in Khardung La region to know the medicinal plant diversity and the current status of its collection. Information on vegetation parameters were collected through 9-hectare plots distributed across different landforms. Group discussions, informal meetings and questionnaire surveys were conducted with the plant collectors to assess the status of collection. Community structure of plants was assessed using standard vegetation sampling method. The study reveals that the area harbors more than 40 medicinal plants and receives a large number of plant collectors each year. Collection is done mainly for personal use however, commercial extraction was also evidenced. The collection method used by locals was destructive which might cause loss of diversity in this important habitat. 15 species has low frequency due to their habitat specificity while 8 of them had very rare occurrence. Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) resulted in 4 communities in different habitat. Low density and frequency of several species suggests that harvesting pressure in Khardung La is high and hence there is a need to develop species specific management plan to avoid local extinction