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Assessing anthropogenic pressure and threats on Paeonia emodi Wall. ex Royle habitats in Garhwal Himalaya

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Abstract

The Garhwal Himalaya is among the major repositories of immensely valuable wild edible plants and provides food security to the local population. Among the valuable plant species that grow in this region, Paeonia emodi (family Paeoniaceae) is an important wild edible species that found in temperate regions with an altitude range between 1800 and 2800 m. The species is facing a severe threat to its sustainability due to overharvesting, habitat disturbances, and a lack of effort regarding conservation. For the first time, this study investigated anthropogenic pressure, population decline perceptions in the natural habitat, and vulnerability assessment of P. emodi under selected study sites (n=23 villages). A semi structured questionnaire was used to interview approximately 45% of the local inhabitants, including herbal practitioners (Vaidhyas or Dais) of each village. On the basis of demographic characteristics, the perceptions and responses of 464 local people were documented regarding potential causes of deterioration and feasible options for sustainable utilization. Using the weight survey method, we estimated the actual amount of collection based on personal interaction and direct observation. In order to determine the threats status, a rapid vulnerability assessment (RVA) was performed and were used based on the current exploitation and usage. The present study revealed that leaf (100%) was the most frequently harvested part, followed by stem (95.65%), seed (26.09%), root (21.74%) and flower (13.04%). The village Triyuginarayan and Pothivasa recorded the highest collection scores while the purpose of the collection was mostly edible (100%), medicinal (100%), and least commercial (8.70%). According to the literature review and the present survey, the RVA (total = 21) is categorized as category II (intermediate side of the RVA index), indicating a degree of vulnerability. The study revealed that P. emodi faces extinction in the Garhwal Himalayas. Growing this species through agro-production techniques may alleviate the pressure on the existing population as a result of the availability of raw materials for commercial and household uses. These findings will provide an effective framework for conservation and management decisions and plans.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Director, G B Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Almora, Uttarakhand and Department of Botany, M.B.G.P.G. College, Haldwani, Nainital (Uttarakhand), for providing facilities to undertake this work. The authors are thankful to the people of different villages of study sites in Garhwal regions for providing and sharing valuable information as well as cooperation during the survey.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Govt. M. B. P.G. College, Haldwani, 263641, India

    Praveen Joshi & Prem Prakash

  2. High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Centre, H. N. B. Garhwal Central University, Srinagar Garhwal, 263671, India

    Vijay Kant Purohit

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  1. Praveen Joshi
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  2. Prem Prakash
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  3. Vijay Kant Purohit
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Correspondence to Praveen Joshi.

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Joshi, P., Prakash, P. & Purohit, V.K. Assessing anthropogenic pressure and threats on Paeonia emodi Wall. ex Royle habitats in Garhwal Himalaya. J. Mt. Sci. 20, 810–820 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-022-7551-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-022-7551-y

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