An ecological expedition was conducted across the alpine region of Western and North-Western Himalaya during June to October 2004 covering the states of Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. The objectives of the expedition were to (i) assess the conservation status of alpine meadows

vis-à-vis landuse practices, (ii) study the patterns of plant species diversity and endemism, (iii) document the current use of medicinal and aromatic plants, and (iv) assess the status of wildlife habitats. Various landscape units such as alpine valleys, plateaus, moraines and high passes were traversed on foot covering a distance of >2500 kms. Along the survey route, different parameters such as size of the meadow, type and intensity of land use, physiognomy of vegetation,  richness and abundance of vascular plants were recorded within random quadrats (10 x 1 m2 ) at  >350 sites or sampling units (s.u.).

This presentation deals with the conservation status of alpine meadows vis-à-vis landuse practices across three states. Plant species richness was highest in the mixed herbaceous formations within the moist parts of Great Himalayan range i.e., 35 to 40 species per s.u. followed by Danthonia grasslands (25 to 28 species per s.u.), marsh meadows (20 to 23 species per s.u.), cushionoid vegetation (18 to 22 species per s.u.), Kobresia sedge meadow (16 to 21 species per s.u.), alpine dry scrub (7 to 13 species per s.u.). Species rich sites included corridors of floral migration, junctions of major habitats and basins of larger mountains. Several botanical hotspots and areas of conservation interest have been identified.
 

An ecological expedition across Alpine region of Western Himalaya.

Herbal Research & Development Institute (HRDI), Government of Uttaranchal.
Collaborator(s): Uttaranchal Forest Department