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The Indian Himalaya is rich in socio-cultural values, biodiversity and having a vast treasure of medicinal plant. Uttarakhand is a part of Indian Himalayan Region, has a vast number of rivers, tributaries and lakes. Betalghat is a block of Nainital district located at the bank of river Kosi. The study was conducted to document the diversity of plants belonging to family fabaceae of Betalghat block, District Nainital (Kumaun Himalaya). Total 127 plants species belonging to 55 genera of different habits such as herbs (65 species) dominates the area followed by shrubs (33 species), trees (18 species), and climbers (11 species) were recorded. The well preserved plant specimens were deposited in the herbarium division of the Department of Botany, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital. Key words:Diversity, Fabaceae family, Betalghat block, Kumaun Himalaya. REFERENCES [1]. Arya, D. & Khan, A.H. 2015. Ethnomedicinal plants and their contribution to cure various ailments as household remedies in Garhwal Himalaya, India. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. 6(4): 1590-1595. [2]. Arya, J.C., Joshi, G.C. &Tewari, L.M. 2018. Medicinal Flora of Tarai Region of Uttarakhand. Shree Publishers & Distributors New Delhi. [3]. Atkinson, E.T. 1882. Gazetteer of the Himalayan District of the NW Provinces of India. 3(2): 87-266. [4]. Chaudhary, R.S. 2010. Taxa of family Fabaceae: A Potential of Local Medicinal Values in Vindhya Region Uttar pradesh, India. International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences. 1(4): 46-53. [5]. Duthie, J.F. 1906. Catalogue of the Plants of Kumaun and of the adjacent portions of Garhwal and Tibet based on the collections made by Strachey and Winterbottom during the years 1946-1949. London. [6]. Gaur, R.D. 1999. Flora of District Garhwal North- West Himalaya (with Ethnobotanical Notes). Trans Media House, Shri Nagar (Garhwal), India, p. 811. [7]. Gupta, R.K. 1968. Flora Nainitalensis: A Handbook of the flowering plants of Nainital. Navayug Traders, New Delhi, p. 489. [8]. Joshi, G.C. 1987. Studies on the Thistle and Legume families of Kumaun. Thesis submitted to Kumaun University Nainital. [9]. Joshi, G.C. & Joshi, P. 2001. Floristic diversity of Tarikhet Block (Kumaun Himalaya). In Plantdiversity of the Himalaya. (Eds. Pande, P.C. &Samant, S.S.). GyanodayaPrakashan, Nainital, p. 221-252. [10]. Joshi, G.C., Tewari, L.M., Pandey, N.C. &Upreti, B.M. 2018. Flora of Ranikhet, West Himalaya. Indu Book Services, New Delhi. [11]. Judd, W.S., Campbell, C.S., Kellog, E.A., Stevens, P.F. & Donoghue, M.J. 2002. Plant Systematics: a phylogenetic approach, SinauerAxxoc. 287-292. [12]. Kajita, T., Ohashi, H., Tateishi, Y., Bailey, C.D. & Doyle, J.J. 2001. Rbcl and legume phylogeny, with particular reference to Phaseoleae, Millettieae and allies. Syst Biol. 26: 515-536. [13]. Kalakoti, B.S. 1983. Flora of Nainital Hills. Thesis submitted to Kumaun University Nainital. [14]. Kanjilal, U.N. 1928. Forest flora of the Chakrata, Dehradun and Saharanpur Forest Divisions, Uttar Pradesh. Government of India Press, New Delhi. [15]. Kumar, R. 2014. Floristic richness in catchment areas of Papaginiriver-a tributary of river Pennar, Andhra Pradesh, India. International Journal of Environment. 3(1): 177-204. [16]. Kumari, P. 2011. Biodiversity assessment with particular reference to threatened ethnomedicinal plants of Almora district. Thesis submitted to Kumaun University, Nainital. [17]. Kushwaha, A.K., Tewari, L.M. & Chaudhary, L.B. 2018. Angiosperm diversity of Sonbhadra District, Utar Pradesh: a checklist. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 10(9): 12247-12269. [18]. Lewis, G., Schrire, B., MacKinder, B. & Lock, M. 2005. Legumes of the World. Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, UK. [19]. Nagarajan, A., Soorangkattan, S., Thangavel, K., Thulasinathan, B., Muthuramalingam, J.B. &Alagarsamy, A. 2017. Campus-Wide Floristic Diversity of Medicinal Plants in Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M), Chennai. American Journal of Plant Sciences. 8: 2995-3012. [20]. Naithani, B.D. 1984-1985. Flora of Chamoli. Vols. I–II. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta. [21]. Noreen, F., Tamoor, M., Adil, M., Mushtaq, U. &Nisa, Q. 2018. Data of Ethnomedicinal Plants in Wazirabad, District Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan. J Pharma Care Health Sys, 5: 194. [22]. Osmaston, A.E. 1927. A forest flora for Kumaun. Bishen Singh Mahindra Pal Singh, Dehradun, India, p. 605. [23]. Pande, P.C. 1984. Flora of Almora district. Ph.D. Thesis submitted to Kumaun University, Nainital, [24]. Pandey, N.C., Joshi, G.C. &Tewari, L.M. 2016. Ethnobotanical plant diversity of Betalghat region, Kumaun Himalaya. Biolife. 4(4): 629-649. [25]. Pandey, N.C., Joshi, G.C., Tewari, L.M. &Pangtey, Y.P.S. 2017. Diversity of Fodder Plants of Betalghat Block, Nainital, Western Himalaya. International Journal of Environment. 6 (4): 1-27. [26]. Pangtey, Y.P.S. &Rawat, G.S. 1987. Studies on the wall flora of Nainital. Journal of Economic and Taxonomic Botany. 9: 209-229. [27]. Pangtey, Y.P.S., Samant, S.S. &Rawat, G.S. 1991. Orchids of Kumaun Himalaya. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun [28]. Pant, P.C. 1986. The Flora of Corbett National Park. Botanical Survey of India, Howarh. [29]. Rahman Mahbubur, A.H.M. &ParvinAra, M.I. 2014. Study of Medicinal Uses on Fabaceae Family at Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Research in Plant Sciences. 2(1): 6-8. [30]. Raizada, M.B. &Saxena, H.O. 1978. Flora of Mussoorie. Periodical Expert Book Agency, Delhi. [31]. Samant, S.S. 1987. Flora of central and south eastern parts of Pithoragarh District. Ph.D. Thesis,submitted to Kumaun University, Nainital. [32]. Samant, S.S. &Dhar, U. 1997. Diversity, endemism and economic potential of wild edible plants of Indian Himalaya. International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology. 4: 179-191. [33].Samant, S.S. Dhar, U. &Palni, L.M.S. 1998. Medicinal plants of Himalaya, diversity, distribution and potential values. GyonadayaPrakashan, Nainital. p. 163. [34].Samant, S.S. &Palni, L.M.S. 2000. Diversity, Distribution and Indigenous uses of essential oil yielding plants of Indian Himalayan Region. J. Med. Arom. Plant. Sci. 4: 671-684. [35]. Samant, S.S. & Pant, S. 2003. Diversity distribution pattern and Traditional knowledge of scared plants of Indian Himalayan Region. Indian J. Forest. 26(3): 201-213. [36] Swapna Gurrapu and Estari Mamidala. In vitro HIV-Reverse Transcriptase Inhibition of Andrographolide Isolatedfrom Andrographis Paniculata. European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2017. Volume 4, Issue 12. 516-522. [37]. Singh, K.K. & Prakash, A. 2002. Flora of Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun. [38]. Sprent, J.I. 2009. Legume nodulation: A Global Perspective. Ames. Lowa: Wiley-Blackwell.p. 12. [39]. Srivastava, S.K. & Singh, D.K. 2005. Glimpses of the Plan wealth of Uttaranchal. Bishan Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Deharadun. [40]. Stevens, P.F. 2008. Fabaceae: Angiosperm Phylogeny Website. 7 May 2006. [41]. Tewari, Lalit M., Pangtey, Y.P.S., &Tewari, G. 2010. Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya. GyanodayaPrakashan, Nainital, p. 574. [42]. Uniyal, B.B., Sharma, J.R. Choudhary, U., & Singh, D.K. 2007. Flowering Plants of Uttarkhand (A Checklist). Bishan Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun, p. 404. [43]. Wariss, H., Mukhtar, M., Anjum, S., Bhatti, G., Pirzada, S., &Alam, K. 2013. Floristic Composition of the Plants of the Cholistan Desert, Pakistan. American Journal of Plant Sciences. 4(12A): 58-65. &nbsp

Ethno-Veterinary Medicine (EVM) or Veterinary Anthropology refers to holistic and interdisciplinary study of traditional knowledge, skills, methods, practices and folk beliefs of the people about the health care, healthful husbandry and production of livestock (Yadav, 2014, Mc Corkle, 1986, 1996). This study aims to document information about ethno-botanical information and its traditional use by the local inhabitant for the treatment of livestock in different villages of Nainital district, Uttarakhand. Traditional use of plant and plant resources has a long history in Uttarakhand and its use is rapidly increasing due to having no side effects, easily available at affordable prices. Field surveys were conducted in the various villages/places in Nainital district between 2013-2015. In general Itching, skin diseases, bleeding, foot and mouth disease, gastrointestinal helminthiasis, mange, myiasis, pain, pediculosis, pneumonia, tick infestation and uterine prolapsed, diarrhoea, afterbirth retention, poisoning, indigestion, liver problem, cough, fever, bone fracture were some common conditions/ailments of animals for which traditional ethno-veterinary prescriptions are usually being used in the area. The dependence of humans and livestock on this rich plant diversity is well known phenomenon since time immemorial. In present investigation a total of 38 plant species from 26 different families were recorded as Ethno-Veterinary plants from the study area. Out of 38 species 9 species were tree and rest all species were herbs. Keywords: Ethno-Veterinary Medicine (EVM), ethno-botanical information, Ethno-Veterinary plants, livestock, folk beliefs, socioeconomic value, Traditional hillers. REFERENCES Bahadur, J (2004). Himalayan Snow and Glaciers – Associated Environmental Problems, Progress and Prospects, Concept Publishing Co, New Delhi. Babbie ER (1995). The Practice of Social Research. 7th Edition. Wadsworth Publishing Company,Belmont. Bhatt. A, Singh. P, Kumar. V and Bauthiyal. M, (2013). Documentation of Ethno - Veterinary Practices used for Treatments of Different Ailments in Garhwal Himalayan Region. J. Environ. Nanotechnol.Volume 2 (2013) 22-29 pp. Casley DJ and Kumar K (1988) The Collection, Analysis, and Use of Monitoring and Evaluation Data, pp 10-25. Johns Hopkins University Press, Maryland, 174 pp. Gupta, R.K. (1968).Flora Nainitallensis,434-442 Navyug publications New Delhi. Jain, S.K. and R.R. Rao (1977). A hand book of field and Herbarium Methods, New Delhi Knoke D and Kuklinski JH (1982) Network Analysis. Sage Publications, Beverly Hills, CA, 96PP. Mahomoodally M.F. Traditional Medicines in Africa: An Appraisal of Ten Potent African Medicinal Plants 2001, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013; Volume (2013), Article ID 617459, 14 pages.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/61745. Manoj. M and Gupta . E, (2014). Ethnoveterinary Practices by Livestock Owners in Animal Fair at Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. International Research Journal of Environment Sciences. Vol. 3(4), 1-4. McCorkle C.M,(1986). An introduction to ethnoveterinary research and development, J. Ethnobiol, 6(1), 129-49. McCorkle C.M., Mathias-Mundy E. and Schillhorn Van Veen T.W., Ethnoveterinary Research and Development, (IT Publications) (1996). Morvin Yabesh, J.E., Prabhu, S., Vijayakumar, S., 2014. An ethnobotanical study ofmedicinal plants used by traditional healers in silent valley of Kerala, India. J.Ethnopharmacol. 154, 774–789 Noel. D.D, Victor .M.M, Brenda. N. D, Gabriela. P. P and Peace. T. D, 2016. Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants In Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences (IOSR-JPBS). Volume 11, Issue 1 Ver. III (Jan. - Feb. 2016), PP 18-22 Partiban. R, Vijayakumar. S, Prabhu. S and Yabesh. J.G.E.M, 2016. Quantitative traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used to treatlivestock diseases from Kudavasal taluk of Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu, India. Brazilian Journal of Pharmacognosy 109–121. Pandey P. C, Tiwari. L and Pande H.C, (2007). Ethnoveterinary Plants of Uttarakhand- A review. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 6(3). Pp. 444-458. Prabhu, S, Vijayakumar, S, MorvinYabesh, J.E, Ravichandran, K, and Sakthivel, B. 2014.Documentation and quantitative analysis of the local on medicinal plants inKalrayan hills of Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu, India. J. Ethnopharmacol. 157,7–20. Prasad Paindla, Rajendra Chary Vijayagiri and Estari Mamidala. Ethnobotanical survey in different mandals of Adilabad district, Andhra Pradesh, India. International Journal of Sciences, 2013, 2(1), 77-83. Rajendra Chary Vijayagiri and Estari Mamidala. Ethnobotanical Investigations Among Traditional Healers In Warangal District Of Andhra Pradesh, India. Pharmacognasy Journal. 2012. 4(34), 13-17. Samant S.S. and U.Dhar, 1997. Diversity, Endemism and Economic Potential of Wild Edible Plants of Indian Himalaya. Intern. J. Sustain. Dev. & World Ecology, 4: 179-191. Samant S.S, Dhar U and Palni, LMS 1998. Medicinal Plants of Indian Himalaya: Diversity Distribution Potential Value. Almora: G.B Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development. Sateesh Pujari and Estari Mamidala (2015). Anti-diabetic activity of Physagulin-F isolated from Physalis angulata fruits. The Ame J Sci & Med Res, 2015,1(1):53-60 Somkuwar S. R, Chaudhary R.R and Chaturvedi A, (2015). Knowledge of ethnoveterinary medicine in the Maharashtra State, India. IJSAR, 2(1), 2015; 90-99. Swapna Gurrapu and Estari Mamidala (2016). Medicinal Plants Used By Traditional Medicine Practitioners in the Management of HIV/AIDS-Related Diseases in Tribal Areas of Adilabad District, Telangana Region. The Ame J Sci & Med Res, 2(1):239-245. doi:10.17812/ajsmr2101. Tewari. D and Sah. A. N, 2016. Ethnic Medicinal Knowledge: An Ancient Knowledge for the Healthcare and Livelihood of the People of Indian Himalaya. SMU Medical Journal. Volume – 3, No. 1. Tiwari.L and Pande. P. C, (2010). Ethnoveterinary medicines in India perspective: Reference to Uttarakhand. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 9(3). Pp. 611-617. Ullah, M, Usman Khan, M, Mahmood, A., Hussain, M., Mehmood Wazir, S., Daud,M., Shinwari, Z., 2013. An ethnobotanical survey of indigenous medicinal plantsin Wana district south Waziristanagency, Pakistan. J. Ethnopharmacol. 150,918–924. Vijayakumar S, MorvinYabesh J.E., Prabhu S, Manikandan R, and Muralidharan B, 2015. Quantitative ethnomedicinal study of plants used in the Nelliyampathyhills of Kerala, India. J. Ethnopharmacol. 161, 238–254. Webb EJ, Sechrest L, Campbell DT and Schwartz R (1966) Unobtrusive Measures: Nonreactive Research in the Social Sciences, 1st ed. Houghton-Mifflin, Boston, MA, 225 pp. Zobel, D.B aand Singh. S.P (1997) Himalayan forests and ecological generalizations. Bio Science, 11, 735–745.

The present investigation deals with the ethnobotanical study conducted during the year 2014-2016 to collect, identify and record the wild edible plants(WEPs) used by the local as well as tribal people inhabiting in rural areas in the Uttarakhand state of ramnagar region of district Nainital, India. A total of 59 plant species belonging to 36 families are reported in this paper based on an ethnobotanical field study. The four major life forms were herbs, shrubs, climbers and trees. Trees (56%) made the highest proportion in this communication of the edible plant species followed by shrubs (25%), herbs (13%) and climbers (6%). Fruit, seed and leaves are found as most preferred edible plant parts. The plant species are arranged in alphabetical order by their botanical name with family, Habit, Altitudinal range (m), Flowering and Fruiting period, Local name, part/s used and ethnobotanical use. Keywords: Wild edible plants, Ethnobotany, rural areas, Ramnagar, India. REFERENCES Abbasi, A.M., Khan, M.A., Ahmad, M., Zafar, M., Khan, H., Muhammad, N., Sultana, S.,: Medicinal plants used for the treatment of jaundice and hepatitis based on socio-economic documentation. Afric J Biotech 2009, 8:1643–1650. Abbasi, A.M., Khan, M.A., Ahmad, M., Zafar, M., Jahan, S., Sultana, S.,: Ethnopharmacological application of medicinal plants to cure skin diseases and in folk cosmetics among the tribal communities of North- West Frontier Province, Pakistan. J Ethnopharmacol 2010, 128:322–335. Abbasi, A.M., Khan, M.A., Ahmad, M., Zafar, M.,: Medicinal plant biodiversity of Lesser Himalayas-Pakistan. New York: Springer; 2012:1–212. Arya, J.C.,: Studies on medicinal flora of trai region of Uttarakhand. 2015, D.Phil submitted to D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University Nainital. Badhwar, R. L., Fernandez, R.R.,: Edible wild plants of the Himalayas.The forest Research Institute and Colleges, Dehradun Ford-Lloyd ,B.V., Schmidt, M., Armstrong, S.J., Barazani, O., Engels, J., Ge, S., Hadas, R., Hammer, K., Kell, S.P., Kang, D., Khoshbakht, K., Li, Y., Long, C.L., Lu, B.R., Ma, K.P., Nguyen, V.T., Qiu, L.J., Wei, W., Zhang, Z.W., Maxted, N.,: Crop wild relatives-undervalued, underutilized and under threat? BioScience. 2011;9:559–565. doi: 10.1525/bio.2011.61.7.10. [Cross Ref] Gaur, R. D., 1999. Flora of Garhwal, Trans Media, Srinagar (Garhwal). Ghorbani, A., Langenberger, G., Sauerborn, J.,: A comparison of the wild food plant use knowledge of ethnic minorities in Naban River Watershed National Nature Reserve, Yunnan, SW China. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2012;9:17. doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-8-17. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Cross Ref] Hazrat, A., Nisar, M., Shah, J., Ahmad, S.,: Ethnobotanical study of some elite plants belonging to Dir, Kohistan valley, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan: Pak J Bot 2011, 43(2):787–795. Hooker, J. D.,: Flora of British India. Vols. I – VI. L. Reeve and Company Ltd, The East House Book , Ashford, Kent, UK: (1875 –2006). Hussain, K., Shahzad, A., Hussnain, S.Z.,: An Ethnobotanical survey of important wild medicinal plants of Hattar District Haripur, Pakistan, Ethnobot Leaflets 2008, 12:29–35. Khan, A., Mehmood, S., Khan, R.U., Khan, S.U.,: Ecological, Taxonomical and Ethnobotanical Study of Wild Fruit Producing Xerophytes of District Bannu, Kpk. Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2013, Vol I (4): pp. 112-120 Lulekal, E., Asfaw, Z., Kelbessa, E., Van, D., Amme P.,: Wild edible plants in Ethiopia: a review on their potential to combat food insecurity. Africa Focus. 2011;9:71–121. Sateesh Pujari and Estari Mamidala (2015). Anti-diabetic activity of Physagulin-F isolated from Physalis angulata fruits. The Ame J Sci & Med Res, 2015,1(1):53-60 Osmaston, A.E.,: A forest flora for Kumaun. International Book Distributors, Dehradun, 1927, pp. 605. Tewari, L.M., Singh, N., Upreti, K., Pangtey, Y.P.S.,: Medicinal plants of Ranikhet. 2008, I Edition Consul Book Depot, Nainital Upreti, K., Tewari, L.M., Pangtey, Y.P.S., Jalal , J.S.,: diversity and distribution of wild edible fruit plants of Uttarakhand. Biodiversity potentials of the Himalaya, Gyanodaya Prakashan, Nainital 2010, pp. 157-196.

The magnificent Himalaya is well recognized for its bio-physical diversity and socio-cultural heritage, traditional systems and an ample quantity of indigenous knowledge. The study was conducted for the documentation of ethnobotanical use of plants from Beatalghat region, Kumaun Himalaya. Total 186 ethnobotanical plants species belonging to 76 families, 160 genera (Angiosperms- 184, Gymnosperms- 2), different habitats such as tress (36%), herbs (31%), shrubs (25%), climbers (8%), were records. Top ten dominant families were Fabaceae (13 species), Euphorbiaceae (8 species), Rosaceae (8 species), Solanaceae (8 species), Moraceae (7 species), Caesalpinaceae (6 species), Mimosaceae (5 species), Lamiaceae (5 species), Rubiaceae (5 species), Anacardiaceae (5 species). The majority of plant species were used for medicinal purposes (32%), followed by fuel (23%), fodder (22%), wild edibles (11%), timber (5%), agriculture implements (3%), religious (3%) and fibre (1%) which were further classify according to plants parts used such as: leafs (33%), wood (26%), root (9%), fruit (9%), bark (7%), whole plant (5%), seed (4%), flower (2%), stem, rhizomes, tuber, resin, latex, twig (1%). It was found that 127 medicinal plant species were used by local people for curing 64 diseases such as fever, diarrhea, cough, cuts and wounds, skin diseases, arthritis, asthma, jaundice, etc. Key Words: : Ethnobotanical plant, Diversity, Betalghat region, use pattern, ailments REFERENCES Bhatt, Deepika. 2012. Assessment of RET Plants used in Traditional Medicinal System in Kumaun Himalalya. Ph.D. Thesis, Kumaun University, Nainital. Farooq, A.G., Saggoo, M.I.S., Dar, M.A., 2014. Ethno botany of some selected Monochlamydeae plant species from the Kashmir Himalayas, India. J. Med. Plant Res. 8(23), 834- 839. Gaur, R.D. 1999. Flora of the District Garhwal Northwest Himalayas (With Ethnobotanical Notes). Transmedia: Srinagar, Garhwal. Gupta, R.K. 1968. Flora Nainitalensis: A Handbook of the flowering plants of Nainital. Navayug Traders, New Delhi. IUCN, 2008. (May 15, 2012). Red List Categories, Gland Switzerland. Kumari, P., Joshi, G.C., Tewari, L.M. 2011. Diversity and status of ethno-medicinal plants of Almora district in Uttarakhand, India. Kumari, P., Joshi, G.C., Tewari, L.M. 2012. Biodivrsity status, distribution and use pattern of some ethno-medicinal plants. Int. J. Conserv. Sci. 3(4):309-318. Naithani, B.D. 1984-1985. Flora of Chamoli. Vols. I–II. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta. Nautiyal, A.R. Nautiyal, M.C. and Purohit, A.N. 1997. Harvesting herbs-2000-Medicinal and aromatic plants-An action plan for Uttarakhand. (BSMS Publishers, Dehradun). Porika Raju and Estari Mamidala (2015). Anti-diabetic activity of compound isolated fromPhysalis angulata fruit extracts in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The Ame J Sci & Med Res, 2015,1(1); Pages 1 -6. doi:10.17812/ajsmr2015.11.1. Osmaston, A.E. 1927. A forest flora for Kumaun. International Book Distributors, Dehradun, pp 605. Samant S.S. & Dhar U. 1997. Diversity, endemism and economic potential of wild edible plants of Indian Himalaya. Int. J. Sustain. Dev. & World Ecol. 4:179-191. Samant, S.S. & Palni, L.M.S. 2000. Diversity, Distribution and Indigenous uses of essential oil yielding plants of Indian Himalayan Region. J. Med. Arom. Plant. Sci. 4: 671-684. Samant, S.S. & Pant, S. 2003. Diversity distribution pattern and Traditional knowledge of scared plants of Indian Himalayan Region. Indian J. Forest. 26(3): 201-213. Samant, S.S. Dhar, U. & Palni, L.M.S. 1998. Medicinal plants f Himalaya, diversity, distribution and potential values. Gyonadaya Prakashan, Nainital. Silverman, D. 2005. Doing Qualitative Research: A Practical Handbook. Thousand Oaks: SAGE, London, UK. Singh, G. & Rawat, G.S. 2011. Ethnomedicinal survey of Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary in Western Himalaya, India. Indian J. Fundam. Appl. Life Sci. 1, 35–46. Porika Raju and Estari Mamidala (2015). Anti-diabetic activity of compound isolated from Physalis angulata fruit extracts in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The Ame J Sci & Med Res, 2015,1(1); Pages 1 -6. doi:10.17812/ajsmr2015.11.1. Srivastava, S.K. & Singh, D.K. 2005. Glimpses of the Plan wealth of Uttaranchal. Bishan Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Deharadun. Uniyal, B.B., Sharma, J.R. Choudhary, U, Singh, D.K. 2007 Flowering Plants of Uttarkhand (A Checklist). Bishan Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun.

Background: Medicinal plants are considered a rich source of ingredients, which can be used in drug development and synthesis. Tinospora cordifolia (Wild.) Hook.f. & Thomson, commonly known as guduchi, heart-leaved moonseed and giloya is a herbaceous vine of the family Menispermaceae, has several beneficial properties including antioxidant activity. Aim: The present study was carried out to analyze the antioxidant activity of leaf and stem extracts of Tinospora cordifolia by using DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2´-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) free radical scavenging assays. Materials and Methods: Dried and powdered leaves and stem of T. cordifolia were extracted with methanol. Ascorbic acid was taken as standard. Total phenolic content was estimated by using Folin-ciocalteu's reagent while total flavonoid content by aluminium chloride reagent to find the correlation of polyphenols with antioxidant activity. ABTS assay of methanolic leaf and stem extracts showed the highest scavenging activity as compared to the DPPH assay. Results: Methanolic stem extract showed higher phenolic and flavonoid content along with antioxidant activity as compared to the methanolic leaf extract. Conclusion: The stem extract exhibited more antioxidant activity than the leaf extract with regards to the all parameters analyzed.

Background: The study on drying and its social acceptance has increased rapidly. Among different drying techniques, shade drying is one of the most feasible methods to keep intact from the decay of the main active components of the plant materials. Shade drying is an ancient drying method that increases durability, major constituents and activity of the plant material. Aims: Research was conducted to examine the drying potential of aromatic leaves oil of Zanthoxylum armatum DC. Methods: The fresh plant material was collected from Lohaghat, Champawat district of Uttarakhand and hydrodistilled before and after shade drying to assess the changes in the quality of volatile constituents by GC and GC-MS techniques. A two-tailed paired t-test was executed to assess the difference between drying treatments using MS-Excel. Results: The major components in the fresh oil were 2-undecane, linalool, (E)-β-ocimene, α-pinene and β-phellandrene. In the oil from dried material, the three predominant compounds were noted. A significant increase was observed in the percentage of β-phellandrene, undecanal and myrcene after shade drying (p Conclusion: Shade drying significantly influenced the essential oil composition of Z. armatum.

The physiological and biochemical performance of two contrasting guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] varieties, RGC-936 a drought sensitive and RGC-1002 a drought tolerant were assessed for their adaptation strategies under-watered and water stress conditions. The physiological parameters such as osmotic potential, relative water content, net photosynthesis, declined under drought in both the varieties although, the decrement was lesser in the variety RGC-1002 as compared to the variety RGC-936 and the stable carbon isotope discrimination declined more in RGC-1002. Furthermore, the variety RGC-1002 exposed to water stress recorded higher levels of total phenolic and proline content, enzymatic antioxidants, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase, which efficiently scavenge the reactive oxygen species. These results suggest that the variety RGC-1002 have a better capability to combat drought-induced oxidative stress as compared to RGC-936. The results of various chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of photochemical quantum yield of PSI, Y(I) and PSII, Y(II), photochemical quantum yield due to regulated energy dissipation, Y(NPQ) and quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation, Y(NO), Cyclic Electron Flow (CEF), and the fraction of reduced PSII electron acceptors Y(ND) displayed that the variety RGC-1002 have better ability to dissipate excess light energy harmlessly as compared to RGC-936 and thereby alleviate photoinhibition of both the photosystems and protect the photosynthetic machinery under drought. The various physiological and biochemical studies show that the variety RGC-1002 is well adapted and capable to survive under severe water stress.

Background: Lichens are a composite consortium of a fungus and an alga. The symbiotic organisms are naturally equipped with distinct characteristics as compared to constituting organisms separately. Lichens, due to their peculiar anatomy and physiology, are the reservoir of more than 600 unique secondary metabolites, also known as ‘lichen substances’. Since ancient times, many ethnic groups from various parts of the world have known about the applications of lichens as major provenance of food/fodder, medicine, dyes, spices, perfumes, etc. Lichen substances have shown impressive antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-tumor, and antiinflammatory activities under experimental conditions. Usnic acid, a well-known metabolite found in several species of lichens, possesses potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. It also has significant antiproliferative potential, as revealed through testing in different cancer cell lines. Atranorin, Lecanoric acid, Norstictic acid, Lobaric acid, Stictic acid, Ramalin, Gyrophoric acid, Salazinic acid, Protolichesterinic, and Fumarprotocetraric acid are some of the other purified lichen-metabolites with potent anti-cancer activities. Objective: This study presents an overview of lichen-derived extracts and compounds showing anti-cancer (or related) properties. Method: The review comprehends different studies (in vivo and in vitro) backing up the possibility of lichenextracts and metabolites towards their use as antioxidant, anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, and Epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT) -inhibiting agents. Results: Various studies carried out to date show that lichen-extracts and metabolites have a range of anti-cancer and related properties that include anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and the potential of inhibition of cancer-associated EMT that is responsible for drug resistance and metastasis of cancer cells in a substantial proportion of cases. Conclusion: Lichens are the repertoire of a plethora of lichen-metabolites with significant anti-cancer potential. However, some of the critical ‘anti-cancer related’ properties, such as the ability of EMT-inhibition and the potential of induction of apoptosis, are relatively less studied for several lichen compounds. Additionally, many lichen compounds need to be purified at a larger scale to explore their anti-cancer potential.

Lantana camara L. the alien-invasive species to Uttarakhand belongs to the verbenaceae family, ever-green woody shrub with different colour flowers ranges from yellow to orange. The fresh hand sections of stem and leaf of Lantana camara L. were studied with light microscopeand intended to find out identical characteristics. Epidermiswas a single layer of compactly arranged by barrel-shaped parenchyma cells with slightly thick walled where intercellular spaces were absent. The visually large trichomes were non-glandularand unicellular, conical type, presenting a large base and a thin extremity.Hypodermis was characterized by a few layers of collenchyma cells with angular thickenings.Cortex was represented by several layers of loosely arranged parenchyma cells with prominent intercellular spaces. Endodermis was having compactly arranged barrel shaped cells.The phloem and xylem cells located at upper and lower of 3 cell cambium layer respectively.Pith was also represented a group of loosely arranged parenchyma cells.The epidermis layer of leaves were uniseriate with regular size cells, was wrapped with a thick cuticle on the adaxial surface. Complex diacytic and anomocytic type of stomata’s were found. Non-glandular trichomes were found scattered through the entire petiole and leaf blades, are of the conical type, presenting a large base and a thin extremity, and ornamentations on the wall. The vascular system was open, forming a flattened arch in the “V” shape with two accessory bundles located dorsally and groups of idioblasts located laterally in the cortical parenchyma.SEM (Scanning electron microscopy) images and Optical microscopy of Pollens of the Lantana camara L. were also performed.Thepalynological information were recorded as sculpturinglooks smooth and the pollen type is tricolporate. Its shape in polar view is Semi-angular while equatorial view is spheroidal. The polar and equatorial diameter were 34μm (30-40μm) 33μm (30-40μm) respectively.

Populations of Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle and Malaxis muscifera (Lindl.) Kuntze are restricted to small pockets and are subject to destructive harvesting (rhizomes/pseudobulbs) from wild. Being under high threat categories considering habitat specificity, population size, utilization and extraction trends, both the species need conservation interventions. This study in Kumaun West Himalaya reveals that in the case of P. cirrhifolium the maximum density (6.33 individual/m2) was reported for the Burphu population, whereas for M. muscifera the maximum density (1.75 individual/m2) was reported for Kathaliya population. No significant (p

It has been established that resurvey of historical vegetation stands, even those not marked permanently, could foster our understanding of vegetation dynamics and changes in structure and composition over time. However, such studies are poorly available, particularly in remote landscapes of the Indian Himalaya. There exists a complete lack of resurveys, which has limited our ability to provide reliable evidence of changes over the decades. This study, for the first time in the Indian Himalaya, considered repeat surveys (nearly after 25 years) of vegetation stands in eleven forest communities of the buffer zone of NDBR (Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve). Thirty historical forest stands, earlier studied in 1988–1990, were revisited during 2012–2014 and investigated using the same survey methods as used in the previous study. We found that previously reported dominant tree species, i.e., Alnus nepalensis, Acer cappadocicum, Quercus floribunda, Quercus semecarpifolia, Hippophae salicifolia, and Betula utilis, in nine out of eleven communities in the study area are continuing to exhibit dominance in the community. However, a significant increase in species richness and density in the seedling and sapling layer in Quercus floribunda, Quercus semecarpifolia, Rhododendron arboreum, and Abies pindrow is indicative of the ongoing process of change in forest composition. The compositional features of plant communities, when analyzed through Community Change Sensitivity (CCS) approach, identified Quercus floribunda, mixed Quercus—deciduous spp., Hippophae salicifolia, and Abies pindrow as the most change-sensitive communities in the study area and thus can be prioritized as the long-term ecological monitoring sites in the west Himalaya to understand intensity and patterns of changes. The potential changes based on the ecological information from two time period compositional data sets, having conservation and management implications, should be accommodated in the long-term perspective plans of the reserve.

Two contrasting guar varieties [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.], RGC-1002—a better drought tolerant than RGC-936—a comparatively sensitive variety, were subjected to 8 days of water stress. The physiological characteristics of gas exchange, pigments and the spectral properties of the leaves were monitored and assessed. The guar variety, RGC-1002 exhibited higher relative water content (RWC) and biomass accumulation in water stress condition as compared to RGC-936. The RGC-1002 variety also showed a higher rate of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and lesser reduction in chlorophyll content as compared to RGC-936 variety. On the 8th day of drought, the leaf anthocyanin levels were also higher in RGC-1002 than RGC-936. Increased levels of anthocyanin result in decrease in absorption of light, and an increase in reflectance, and transmittance. The scattering coefficient of leaf spectra was significantly increased in RGC-936 than in RGC-1002 leaves; this is due to an increase in the size of intercellular air spaces and shrinkage of cells as a result of water loss. The leaf reflectance was also observed to be significantly increased in RGC-936 than in RGC-1002 leaves. The physiological and leaf optical observations substantiate that RGC-1002 was better adapted to water stress than RGC-936 variety.

The present study includes chromosome count, meiotic abnormalities, pollen fertility and karyotype of Elymus semicostatus from north-west Himalaya, India. This is the first attempt to present karyo...

The present study was conducted on diversity, distribution, indigenous uses and conservation of economically important Plants in Kalatop-Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary, Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh during 2013–2016 which has not been explored so far. A total of 361 economically important species (33 trees, 70 shrubs, 249 herbs and 9 ferns) belonging to 254 genera and 99 families have been recorded. These species are used for medicinal (229 spp.), edible (78 spp.), fodder (15 spp.), fuel (53 spp.), timber (09 spp.), religious (20 spp.) and other species for various other purposes. Of the total species, 150 are native, 211 non - native, 73 near endemic and 01 endemic. These species are distributed between 1870 – 2750m, amsl. Due to habitat degradation, over exploitation and changing environmental conditions, the populations of most of the species are facing threats. Therefore, frequent monitoring of populations of these species in relation to climate change and education and awareness among the local inhabitants and Forest Department Officials are suggested. (NTFPs).

Spermacoce alata Aubl. (Rubiaceae) is reported here as a new record to the flora of Uttar Pradesh. Detailed description, herbarium image, and relevant notes are provided.

The spatial distributions of plant species are results of variable environmental gradients, including climatic and edaphic factors, biotic factors, different eco-physiological processes, species-specific characteristics, and resource requirements, thus producing spatial heterogeneity. The species distribution and their rate of change across elevational gradients in nineteen forest communities were studied using the quadrat method and statistical modeling tools. Pindari-Sunderdhunga-Kafni (PSK) area of the Kumaun region and the Lata-Tolma-Phagti (LTP) area in the Garhwal region in the buffer zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve were selected as the extensive study sites. A total of 4278 individual trees belonging to 42 families in the PSK site and 6436 individual trees belonging to 25 families in the LTP site were recorded across elevational gradients between 2050 to 3800 m a.s.l. Because of the narrow elevational range and complexity in the field-based data structure, Generalized Additive Model (GAM) was used to predict the rate of change of species richness and species density. The results showed a significant decrease in density at a rate of 319–355 ind ha-1 per 100 m elevation in the Pindari-Sunderdhunga-Kafni site (P

Medicinal plants constitute an effective source of traditional and modern medicine. Angelica glauca Edgew. is a high value medicinal aromatic plant species of the Himalaya. In this article, a brief profile of the herbal medicinal plant Choraka (A. glauca Edgew.) which is used in the traditional system of medicine and in folk medicines in the Kumaun Himalayas was presented. Regular supply of raw material for pharmaceuticals and ethno-medicinal uses has high pressure on demand to fulfill the demand of the raw material. Adulteration and substitution are common in raw material in trade. Key words: Angelica glauca Edgew, Kumaun Himalaya, adulteration/substitution, trade, population study and conservation.

The present work is a part of a three years extensive study to observe the annual changes in phyto-sociological characters of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. (Family- Scrophulariaceae) in high altitudinal regions of Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand. The work was undertaken with the objective of observing the annual variation in relative values of frequency, density, abundance and importance value Index (IVI) of the plant species suffering from threats and categorized as critically endangered by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Key words: Phyto-sociology, Scrophulariaceae, population, Kumaun, assessment.

Alpine and subalpine regions of Kumaun Himalaya were surveyed qualitatively and quantitatively for the population study to determine the status of Aconitum ferox and A. heterophyllum. Low population density across the surveyed populations and restricted distribution to specific pockets indicates poor availability of the species in the study area. Illegal and over exploitation of these species pose threat to their existence. The present study clarifies the population structure of identified aconite species in Kumaun Himalaya. Observations reveal that on the basis of six attributes (that is habitat preference, distribution range, population size, use pattern, extraction trend, native and endemic species) used to assign threat categories, both the Aconitum species are endangered. Key words: Endangered, Himalaya, Aconitum heterophyllum, Aconitum ferox, medicinal plant.

Polygnatum verticillatum (Linn) All. and Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle (Liliaceae) growing in the Himalayan region is assigned as vulnerable by International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). To elucidate the status of the plants in the Uttarakhand Himalaya population assessment of the species is done in the study region. The study area is divided into five sites (Kilburry, Jageshwar, Dunagiri, Chaubattia and Aboot mount) in Kumaun division and five sites (Bhavisya Badri, Tangnath, Dayara, Bharsar and Binsor) in Garhwal division. Population is accessed based on frequency, density, abundance and importance value index (IVI) of the plants in per square meter area following Mishra (1986). Threat assessment of species was done through six parameters (that is, habitat preference, distribution range, population size, use pattern, extraction trend and native area. Ethno-medicinal uses of the plants are also documented through interview and gathering with local informers/folk healers. Some conservation strategies are also suggested. Key words: International Health Regulations (IHR), population study, status, quadrat, sampling.

The present paper reports on the leaf litter, wood litter, miscellaneous litter and total litter fall in Quercus leucotrichophora forests of the Kumaun Himalaya. Peak values of leaf, wood and miscellaneous litter fall occurred in May, June and November and December respectively. The total annual litter fall was 538.85 g m -2 , of which leaf, wood and miscellaneous litters accounted for 72.35, 23.04 and 4.53% respectively. Monthly leaf litter fall, wood litter fall and total litter fall was positively related to the monthly temperature of the site.

Usnea is a widespread fruticose lichen popularly known for its medicinal properties across the world. Though it has been mentioned in many floristic studies reported from Uttarakhand, India, no detailed taxonomic account has been conducted for the past two decades. The present study was based on specimens deposited in lichen herbarium of National Botanical Research Institute (LWG), personal herbarium of D.D. Awasthi (AWAS) and herbarium of the department of botany, Lucknow University (LWU). A total of 28 species, including seven new additions to Uttarakhand, namely U. dendritica Stirt., U. lucea Mot., U. norketti G. Awasthi, U. pseudosinensis Asahina, U. sinensis Mot., U. spinosula Stirt., U. subflorida Stirt.are presented along with key to species.

Forest vegetation of a protected area (Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary) in Kumaun region (west Himalaya) was analysed for structure, composition and representativeness across three different altitudinal belts, lower (1,600–1,800 m a.s.l.), middle (1,900–2,100 m a.s.l.) and upper (2,200–2,400 m a.s.l.) during 2009–2011 using standard phytosociological methods. Four aspects (east, west, north and south) in each altitudinal belt were chosen for sampling to depict maximum representation of vegetation in the sanctuary. Population structure and regeneration behaviour was analysed seasonally for two years to show the establishment and growth of tree species. A total of 147 plant species were recorded from the entire region of which 27 tree species were selected for detailed study. Highest number was recorded at upper (18 species), and lowest at lower altitudinal belt (15 species). The relative proportion of species richness showed higher contribution of tree layer at each altitudinal belt. The population structure, based on the number of individuals, revealed a greater proportion of seedling layer at each altitudinal belt. The relative proportion of seedlings increases significantly along altitudinal belts (p 0.05). The density values decreased in summer and increased during rainy season. As far as the regeneration status is concerned, middle and upper altitudinal belts showed maximum number of species with fair regeneration as compared to lower altitudinal belt. Overall density diameter distribution of tree species showed highest species density and richness in the smallest girth class and decreased in the succeeding girth classes. This study suggests that patterns of regeneration behaviour would determine future structural and compositional changes in the forest communities. It is suggested that the compositional changes vis-a-vis role of ‘New’ and ‘Not regenerating’ species need priority attention while initiating conservation activities in the sanctuary. This study calls for exploring other less explored Wildlife Sanctuaries in the Himalaya and across the world, to achieve overall biodiversity status in these protected areas and thus to justify their role in conserving biodiversity in the region.

This paper reports on the shoot diameter and shoot elongation of common 10 trees and 9 shrubs species of 6 natural forests occurring between 350 to 2500 m in Kumaun Himalaya. The findings indicated that over 90% shoot elongation was accomplished prior to the commencement of rainy season in a majority of species. The average values of diameter increment were similar for canopy and subcanopy species and it was markedly higher for open grown deciduous species. In shrubs, it was higher for deciduous species. The relationship between the shoot length and shoot diameter in all species was positive and significant. Key words: Kumaun Himalaya, shoot length, shoot diameter.

Microstylis wallichii Lindl. is a Rasayana and belongs to the “Astverga”. It is an important medicine traditionally known since Vedic period but study on its phytoconstituents is very limited. Metal content and volatile constituents in M. wallichii (family Orchidaceae) collected from Uttarakhand were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and GC and GC-MS respectively. Chemical analysis revealed that wild M. wallichii contained 6.48 ppm Cu, 43.00 ppm Zn, 35.00 ppm Mn, 331.00 ppm Fe, 21600.00 ppm K, 9000.00 ppm Ca, 2800.00 ppm Mg, 198.00 ppm Al, 26.70 ppm Ba, 55.60 ppm B, 0.30 ppm Mo, 156.00 ppm Cl. Fatty acids analysis revealed the presence of the following constituents-linoleic acid (18:2ω6) 61.20% (w/w), α-linolenic acid 18.10% (w/w), oleic acid 12.00 % (w/w), palmitic acid (16:0) 6.00% (w/w), stearic acid (18:0) 2.10% (w/w), γ-linolenic acid (18:3ω6) 2.20% (w/w), eicosanoic acid (20:0) 0.81 % (w/w), eicosenoic acid (20:1) 0.42% (w/w) and eicosadienoic acid (20:2) 0.04% (w/w). Cultivated M. wallichii contained 7.18 ppm Cu, 49.50 ppm Zn, 37.00 ppm Mn, 352.45 ppm Fe, 23000.00 ppm K, 13000.00 ppm Ca, 5300.00 ppm Mg, 217.50 ppm Al, 37.50 ppm Ba, 59.70 ppm B, 0.27 ppm Mo, 148.00 ppm Cl. Analysis of fatty acids reported following constitutents of cultivated M. wallichii - linoleic acid (18:2ω6) 65.23% (w/w), α-linolenic acid 15.50% (w/w), oleic acid 14.87 % (w/w), palmitic acid (16:0) 5.90% (w/w), stearic acid (18:0) 2.50% (w/w), γ-linolenic acid (18:3ω6) 1.87% (w/w), eicosanoic acid (20:0) 0.69 % (w/w), eicosenoic acid (20:1) 0.52% (w/w) and eicosadienoic acid (20:2) 0.07% (w/w). Other chemical constituents which were isolated from wild and cultivated M. wallichii were vitamins α–tocopherol and γ-tocopherol 12.00-9.80 ppm and 695.00-786.7 ppm respectively while terpenoids 18.00-20.50%. It has an acid value of 1.20-1.39 and saponification value of 103.00-110.50. Key words: Microstylis wallichii; metal content; volatile constituents; GC-MS

Hedychium spicatum Buch.-Ham. belongs to family Zingiberaceae. It is known for its many medicinal uses. Due to great market potential of the plant, it is harvested in uncontrolled way causing the decline of the herb from its natural habitat. Presently, its status in nature is not good. Thus, there is need of its in situ as well as ex situ conservation and propagation. The present study was conducted on different trials with different organic fertilizers and types of nursery beds to develop a need based agro-technique for mass scale cultivation of the plant in the climatic condition of Ranikhet, Uttarakhand. Key words: Hedychium spicatum Buch.-Ham., organic cultivation, conservation, sustainable harvesting.

Natural populations of Polygonatum verticillatum in Kumaun Himalaya were surveyed for population studies, habitat assessment and threat status. This research reveals density of individuals and area occupied were low as compared to other species of the region, indicating habitat loss and heavy exploitation. Status was determined on a site-to-site basisfor the entire Kumaun region. Based on species occurrence in selected areas, the species were identified as critically endangered to endangered in different areas. Frequency of P. verticillatum ranged between 50 and 80% at different population sites. Distribution of the species was between 50 and 80% indicating contiguous distributional range at most of the sites and random distributional range at Mukteshwer and Gagar. Density of P. verticillatumwas highest (4.40 plant m-2) in way to Kafani and lowest (2.60 plant m-2) in Bhaman gupha.Total basal cover (TBC) was also found highest (0.91 cm2 m-2) in way to Kafani and lowest (0.35 cm2 m-2) in Bhaman gupha. Important value index (IVI) was found highest (51.68) in Munsyari and lowest (28.84) in Khati. Concentration of dominance (Cd) for the region showed a slight variation, with a range between 0.30 and 0.10. This may be attributed to the narrow range of distribution, habitat restriction and dominance of some species. Key words: Population, habitat, threat, Polygonatum verticillatum.

Leaf demography was studied in 9 trees (6 Evergreen (ES), 1 Semideciduous (SD) and 2 Deciduous (DS)) and 10 shrubs (7 Evergreen (ES) and 3 Deciduous (DS)) occurring between 350 to 2500 m elevation in the Kumaun Himalaya, India. Although each species had its own pattern about seasonality of leaf recruitment, it was possible to group the species based on leaf expansion behavior. The result shows the leaf expansion rate was greater for deciduous species compared to Evergreen species. The percent leaf area after four weeks of expansion was also greater for deciduous species.

An efficient protocol for high frequency in vitro regeneration of Meizotropis pellita an endangered and endemic plant was developed. In vitro germination of the seeds of Patwa was achieved successfully after incubation for 10 -15 days and plantlets up to a height of 5 -7 cm with profuse rooting were observed after incubation for 7 weeks in hormone free MS medium. This in vitro germination totally reduced contamination that used to occur in the explant taken from the field. Callus induction and proliferation were observed in leaf explants after 15 -20 days of incubation in MS medium containing 2 -4, D (9.06 μM) alone or in combination with 2 -4, D (9.06 μM) + 2-iP (7.38 μM). Shoot regeneration was achieved from 2 months old callus explant in MS medium supplemented with BA (17.6 μM) + GA3 (1.0 μM). Shoot multiplication was also achieved from cotyledonary node of M. pellita in MS medium supplemented with Kinetin + GA3 (4.6 μM + 1.0 μM) or BA (13.2, 17.6 μM) + GA3 (1.0 μM) after 30 -45 days of incubation. IBA (4.9 μM) was more effective in root regeneration from micro shoots. The plantlets after acclimatization over a period of 1 month were further hardened in a polyhouse for two months. On the basis of available literature this is the first and significant study regarding the comparative effect of different PGRs on in-vitro propagation of Meizotropis pellita by using different explants and their subsequent effect on rooting. This significant study could be useful for large scale production of successfully hardened plants and conservation of this shrub.

Polygonatum cirrhifolium Royle (Meda), a herb belonging to the Liliaceae family, is known for its medicinal, cultural and ethno-botanical uses. However, due to its great market potential, it is harvested and grown in an uncontrolled way; overexploitation has caused the decline of the herb from its natural habitat. Since finding new organic treatments can help conserve the plant, a 2-year field experiment was undertaken to study the effect of different organic fertilizers and the nature of nursery beds on the survival, morphological growth and yield of this plant. The observations were recorded in 15-day intervals. The results show that yield was lower in control beds when compared with forest litter, farmyard manure and vermicompost in all type of beds prepared in rows, furrows and plain. The yield was highest at beds located at plantation with furrows which were supplemented with forest litter. Thus, it can be concluded that the cultivation of P. cirrhifolium is optimal in beds with rows and furrows (pla...

The present study provides a taxonomic account of the angiosperms of Sonbhadra District in Uttar Pradesh. The district, which comes under the Vindhyan region of Uttar Pradesh, is one of the richest areas in the state as far as plant diversity is concerned. It is spread over about 6788km² of geographical area, which constitutes about 36% forest cover on highly undulated land. The extensive survey of the area conducted during 2011-–2016, critical examination of previous collections housed at various herbaria, and review of published literature have resulted in a total of 705 species belonging to 459 genera under 110 families. Out of these, 541 species (76.73%) under 354 genera (77.12%) and 89 families (80.90%) belong to dicots, and 164 species (23.26%) under 105 genera (23.26%) and 21 families (19.09%) to monocots. The present enumeration of the species also includes about 78 species cultivated in the area for various purposes. Fabaceae (110 spp.) comprises of the maximum number of species, followed by Poaceae (89 spp.), Asteraceae (38 spp.), Cyperaceae (33 spp.), and Malvaceae (33 spp.). Some of the largest genera in the area are Cyperus (14 spp.), Ipomoea (9 spp.), Solanum (9 spp.), Ficus (9 spp.), Crotalaria (7 spp.), Desmodium (7 spp.), Bauhinia (6 spp.), Hibiscus (6 spp.), Fimbristylis (6 spp.), Acacia (5 spp. ), etc. The entire forest is chiefly dominated by trees such as Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd., Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr., Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub., Hardwickia binata Roxb., and Shorea robusta Gaertn.

A laboratory incubation experiment was undertaken to study the periodic changes in the five sequentially extractable chemical fractions: water soluble and exchangeable (F1), NaOAc extractable (F2),...

In a laboratory incubation study, the periodic changes in different chemical fractions of copper (Cu) in three sludge-amended soil types (acidic sandy clay loam, neutral clay loam and alkaline clay loam) of varying soil reaction were monitored under field capacity and flooding moisture regime over 16 months. The water soluble and exchangeable fraction of Cu was very low (≤1% of total Cu) in all three soil types. At the end of incubation (16 months), the sodium acetate extractable (carbonate sorbed)- and residual-Cu fractions transformed into Fe-Mn oxide fraction, irrespective of moisture regime in all three soil types. However, the extent of transformation varied among soils.

Bhotiya is a tribal community in the high altitude hills of Uttarakhand state. Bhotiya community is known for its ethnic knowledge globally. The Bhotiya have old age tradition of preparing fermented beverages like Jaan and Kacchi with traditionally prepared starter culture called Balam. These beverages play an important role in the socio-economic and cultural life of Bhotiya tribe of Munsyari region in Johar valley. This paper deals with the detailed account of two important alcoholic beverages prepared and consumed by the Bhotiya tribal community, inhabiting the Munsyari region of Kumaun Himalaya. Key words: Bhotiya tribe, traditional knowledge, Balam, Jaan, Kacchi, Kumaun Himalaya.

Biodiversity, which twenty years ago was considered unimportant by most ecologists, has now been shown to impact significantly upon many aspects of ecosystem functioning. Diversity must now be added to the list of factors — including species composition, disturbance regime, soil type and climate — that influence ecosystem functioning. The recent knowledge of the importance of biodiversity highlights an under-appreciated truth — although society is dependent on natural and managed ecosystems for goods and services that are essential for human survival, we know all too little about how ecosystems work. Origanum vulgare L. is one of the important ethno medicinal plants, are found spread over to sub-temperate forest zone. They are of Ayurvedic importance and have trade value as well. Due to over exploitation and habitat degradation they are now turning into a rare species. Threat assessments of this species revealed that they are vulnerable in study area under reference. Their dominance too was found less as compare to other species. Their diversity profile in study areas also went down. Origanum vulgare L. has antimicrobial activities but Becillus subtillis, Pseudomonas aereuguinosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherchia coli bacteria were shown to be proactive. Due to fast growing urbanization of life, people are being attracted towards use of natural products and as such utility of such plants are gaining ground. Thus the need is to protect, promote and conserve such natural resources to have advantage of biodiversity conservation.