Abstract

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are frequently being used for various ailments since time immemorial by a vast range of human communities. The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), which forms part of one of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots, is known for its rich and unique biodiversity elements. In last decades, plant-based medicines have gained popularity over synthetic pharmaceutical products as they are retained less harmful. However, increased demand of these plant-based medicinal products has caused over-harvesting, unmonitored trade, habitat destruction and anthropogenic pressure on MAPs. In view of their importance, the present study aims to document the diversity of threatened plants in IHR that are medicinally important, their distribution in 12 Himalayan states and suggest conservation measures. A total of 112 plant species were documented of which 19 species were found to be in high-risk categories viz. critically endangered (seven), endangered (seven) and vulnerable (five) as per IUCN. Distribution, life-forms, medicinal values, plant parts used, threat categories, population trends, market value and conservation approaches of the species are also presented. The study strongly recommends prohibition of unmanaged extraction of medicinally important threatened plants from the wild and encourages their cultivation.

摘要

自远古以来，药用和芳香植物 (MAP) 经常被广泛的人类社区用于治疗各种疾病。印度喜马拉雅地区 (IHR) 是全球 36 个生物多样性热点之一，以其丰富而独特的生物多样性元素而闻名。在过去的几十年里，植物性药物比合成药物产品更受欢迎，因为它们的危害较小。然而，对这些以植物为基础的医药产品的需求增加导致了过度捕捞、贸易不受监控、栖息地破坏和人为压力对 MAPs 造成的压力。鉴于它们的重要性，本研究旨在记录 IHR 中具有药用价值的受威胁植物的多样性，它们在喜马拉雅 12 个州的分布情况，并提出保护措施。共有 112 种植物物种被记录在案，其中 19 种被发现属于高风险类别，即。根据 IUCN，极度濒危（七）、濒危（七）和易危（五）。还介绍了该物种的分布、生命形式、药用价值、使用的植物部分、威胁类别、种群趋势、市场价值和保护方法。该研究强烈建议禁止从野外未经管理地提取具有重要药用价值的受威胁植物，并鼓励对其进行种植。