Conservation of alpine pasture in Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Himalayan Alpine pasture occurs at high altitude mountains in between the tree line and perpetual snow line. These constitute one of the important land cover. These pastures contain very good grasses and medicinal plants thus traditionally tribal people depend on these pastures for grazing their animals during summer. 75% of the total alpine pastures in Himalayan region are situated in Himachal Pradesh.The alpine pasture of Himachal Pradesh provides a matchless wealth of highly priced medicinal, aromatic plants and known as a natural reservoir of these herbs. In alpine pasture and meadows due to continuous loss of forest land, uncontrolled grazing and irregular exploitation of medicinal herbs by commercial enterprises have resulted in depletion of valuable medicinal plants used since ancient times. There are many medicinal plants which have become rare in several tracts while a few others have fallen in the list of endangered species. Therefore it has been felt that there is an urgent need for ex-situ and in-situ conservation of these valuable and threatened species.