The Himalayas are a treasure of biodiversity. There are thousands of species of flora and fauna in this ecosystem spread over an area of more than 5.5 lakh square kilometers. Research published in 2018 by the Zoological Survey of India says that there are 30,377 species and subspecies of animals in the Himalayas. On the other hand, no exact data is available on how many species of flora are there in the Himalayas. However, according to the Botanical Survey of India, there are more than 49,000 botanical species and subspecies throughout the country.
In the research conducted for Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Suresh Kumar Rana and Gopal Singh Rawat have prepared a list of total 10,503 species found in the Himalayas. “The Himalayas are the tallest and largest mountain system on earth that is 2,400 kilometers long and more than 300 kilometers wide. The 10,503 vegetation species included in our list actually fall under the category of seed plant. Other species are yet to be counted is.” Suresh Kumar Rana, botanist of the GB Pant Institute in Uttarakhand, told DW.
Special abundance in Central Himalayas
Countless species of flora and fauna make the Himalayas a precious storehouse of biodiversity, and thousands of small glaciers, valuable forests, rivers and waterfalls present here prepare suitable ground for this. The Himalayas are divided into several zones of which the Central Himalayan region is particularly home to this biodiversity. Research by Manju Sundariyal and Bhavatosh Sharma says that only 7000 species of flora and 500 important species of animals exist in the state of Uttarakhand, situated in the central Himalayas.
Gajendra Singh Rawat, a member of the expert committee of the Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board, says, “The best thing about the biodiversity of Uttarakhand is that we have a huge and rich ecosystem. In this state from the Terai to Bhabhar and then from the central Himalayas to the Himadri and There are 5 eco climatic zones up to the Trans Himalayas. We have developed protected areas like Raja Ji National Park and Corbett Tiger Reserve in the lowlands which is an example. There is definitely some damage due to dense settlement in the central Himalayas but natural wealth in the upper reaches Seems safe at the moment. “
But today there are many threats to biodiversity in the Himalayan region and there are many reasons for this, ranging from climate change to cutting of forests, frequent uncontrolled fires, drying up of streams, poor forest management and lack of awareness among people. . Because of this many species face an existential crisis. One such botanical species is orchid, which has been trying to save Uttarakhand for the last few years.
Crisis on the Himalayas
Orchid is an indicator of biodiversity
The orchid plant is among the oldest flora in the world, known for its plentiful flowers and priceless contribution to the environment. It has more than twenty five thousand species all over the world and in Himalayas it is found at altitudes ranging from 700 meters to about 3000 meters. About 250 species of orchids have been identified in the state of Uttarakhand but most are on the verge of losing their existence. Biologists say that at least 5 or 6 species are on the verge of extinction.
The orchid that grows on the ground itself or on trees such as an oak or toon makes pollination possible or easy in many flora. A nutritious and popular Ayurvedic product like Chyawanprash uses at least 4 species of orchid found in the higher Himalayan regions. For the last two years, researchers from the Uttarakhand Forest Department have preserved more than 100 species of orchids in the areas of Gori Valley and Garhwal Division of Kumaon.
“The local people have little knowledge about the orchid. Therefore, they used to destroy them inadvertently while cutting the orchid’s host plant such as oak or toon. So we protected them on about 10 acres of land in Gori Ganga valley. Today, within two years, we have protected more than 60 species of orchids in this small area. ” Research fellow of the forest department, Yogesh Tripathi, says those who are engaged in the conservation of lichen and orchid in the Gori valley.
Ecosystem experts believe that if there are a large number of orchids, it means that the ecosystem is left in its healthy and balanced form. “The place in the animal kingdom of tiger or leopard is the same as that of orchids in the plant world. Orchids not only combine with the spines for germination but also cooperate with thousands of species for pollination. Because their fertilization is the insect If there is an orchid from kites, then there will be very rare insects and moths in that area. It has a very subtle relationship with tree plants and if there is a slight change in the environment, then the first orchids end there. In this sense, it is also the most sensitive indicator of environmental health. ” Dr. Rawat says.
Economic Importance and Local Connection
Experts believe that to save orchids and other rare species, it is important to understand the economic importance of these flora and make them useful for the local people. The Uttarakhand government is now claiming that it wants to make Orchid a source of eco-tourism so that the people of the state can earn income from it and increase awareness of such flora found in sensitive areas.
According to Garhwal University Vice Chancellor and Botanist SP Singh, biodiversity itself tells us how life has grown and how biological development has taken place. Hence, abundant availability of animals and species at some place are healthy signs for the environment. Singh says that due to the medicinal importance of rare flora, it is important to preserve biodiversity. According to him, during the epidemic like Corona, efforts are being made to understand the medicinal importance of many species, so that medicines of this disease can be prepared. Earlier, Himalayan herbs have been used to treat many other diseases.
