Ethno-botanical survey for wild plants in fringe villages around Shimla Water Catchment Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh, India

In this study an ethno-botanical survey was carried out in the fringe villages located at the periphery of Shimla Water Catchment Sanctuary. As the sanctuary area is not completely fenced the villagers have an access inside the sanctuary. An attempt was made to prepare a document of important flora and information from local community about their ethnic uses. The indigenous knowledge of local traditional uses was collected by personal interviews during field trips. Plants with their correct nomenclature were arranged by family name, vernacular name, part use, ethno-botanical remedies and uses. Plants having uses in medicine, ornamental, fodder and many other were studied. The study was entirely focused on revealing the medicinal potential possessed by the plants growing wild in this area and their sustainability for the betterment of mankind

Studies on the variation in germination and seedling growth of Abies pindrow Spach. (Royle) in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India

Abies pindrow species is facing a problem of natural regeneration and the absence of adequate regeneration in Indian fir forests has drawn the attention of forest officers, researchers and scientists for a long time. The present study was undertaken in the state of Uttarakhand where four sites bearing A. pindrow forests were selected. The study was conducted to compare the seeds of the four sites to draw relevant conclusions. Two sites Mundali and Deoban fall under Chakrata forest division and Bhukki and Dharali sites fall under Uttarkashi forest division. The aim of the study was to determine variation in germination of seeds of A. pindrow collected from four locations in the state of Uttarakhand. A significant variation was observed in seed germination (germination percent, mean germination time, peak value, germination energy, germination value, germination speed) and seed growth parameters (seedlength, seed width and seed thickness). The seed source of Dharali site was found as the best source followed by Deoban in comparison to other two sites. Dharali site showed highest germination percentage (25%), highest germination value (2.664) and highest germination energy (25.00) from its seed source, thereby concluding to be the best seed source site. The viable and healthy seed source can be considered to be most fruitful in propagation and regeneration techniques