50
S. Dhyani and D. Dhyani
Rapid constructions of pukka houses and early marriages in high altitude traditional
and Bhotiya tribal communities are changes that are been observed due to influx
of money by extraction of Cordyceps in Niti valley, Doodhatoli and Binsar areas.
After ban been imposed on grazing, collection of MAPs from high altitude areas in
early 1980s locals and indigenous people went out of livelihood. For local families
under BPL (Below Poverty Line) this species has emerged as a significant alternative
livelihood option though, long periods to survive under extreme cold conditions have
exerted huge pressure on timberline vegetation. Threatened species of Betula utilis
in timberline is largely used as an important source of firewood during the period
of collection. Continuous presence of large number of people in fragile landscapes
of alpine and subalpine areas during regeneration period of many threatened MAPs
poses threat to their survival. Cordyceps has not found mention in Ayurvedic or
Indian system of medicine and has no market in India hence, ongoing extraction of
species for Chinese medicine has led to biodiversity loss, damage to high altitude
fragile ecosystems (Sharma 2004; Garbyal et al. 2004).
4.4.2 Shadowy Trade of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
Central Himalaya is a significant habitat to commercially important and many threatened medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). About 2500 plant species are utilized
in different Indian system of medicines while, more than 1750 herbal species are
native to Indian Himalayan region. Central Himalayas has a share of more than 1000
species, which are in use. About 121 plant species of the region are in IUCN Red
data book while, Red data book published by Botanical Survey of India has identified
about 214 species of endangered flowering plants out of which 29 species have been
listed under rare category and some of them are at the verge of extinction (IUCN
2001; Ved et al. 2003). The numbers of these plants have increased over years due
to unregulated harvesting of resources. Most of the MAPs in Central Himalayas are
found in higher reaches of alpine, subalpine, timberline, moist and dry temperate
forests. MAP extraction from these reaches is restricted and illegal unless permitted
still a lot of families in Chamoli district, Uttarkashi, Pauri and Rudraprayag district
are dependent on them as alternative sources of livelihood by collecting and selling
them to middle men or locally.
4.4.3 Extraction of Lichens as an Alternative Livelhood to Locals
Lichens are ecologically important as they provide food, shelter and nesting materials
for a variety of wild animals (Pandeya and Yadava 2016; Kumar 2009; Misra 2008;
Kumar and Upreti 2008). Extraction of lichens from September to March month
of every year is an important alternative livelihood option for poverty laden local
communities of Ghesh and Van village in Pinder valley of Chamoli district. Lichens
have huge commercial demand as key ingredient in different dye, perfumery and
traditional medicine industries. Lichens are also in high demand in international
S. Dhyani and D. Dhyani
Rapid constructions of pukka houses and early marriages in high altitude traditional
and Bhotiya tribal communities are changes that are been observed due to influx
of money by extraction of Cordyceps in Niti valley, Doodhatoli and Binsar areas.
After ban been imposed on grazing, collection of MAPs from high altitude areas in
early 1980s locals and indigenous people went out of livelihood. For local families
under BPL (Below Poverty Line) this species has emerged as a significant alternative
livelihood option though, long periods to survive under extreme cold conditions have
exerted huge pressure on timberline vegetation. Threatened species of Betula utilis
in timberline is largely used as an important source of firewood during the period
of collection. Continuous presence of large number of people in fragile landscapes
of alpine and subalpine areas during regeneration period of many threatened MAPs
poses threat to their survival. Cordyceps has not found mention in Ayurvedic or
Indian system of medicine and has no market in India hence, ongoing extraction of
species for Chinese medicine has led to biodiversity loss, damage to high altitude
fragile ecosystems (Sharma 2004; Garbyal et al. 2004).
4.4.2 Shadowy Trade of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
Central Himalaya is a significant habitat to commercially important and many threatened medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). About 2500 plant species are utilized
in different Indian system of medicines while, more than 1750 herbal species are
native to Indian Himalayan region. Central Himalayas has a share of more than 1000
species, which are in use. About 121 plant species of the region are in IUCN Red
data book while, Red data book published by Botanical Survey of India has identified
about 214 species of endangered flowering plants out of which 29 species have been
listed under rare category and some of them are at the verge of extinction (IUCN
2001; Ved et al. 2003). The numbers of these plants have increased over years due
to unregulated harvesting of resources. Most of the MAPs in Central Himalayas are
found in higher reaches of alpine, subalpine, timberline, moist and dry temperate
forests. MAP extraction from these reaches is restricted and illegal unless permitted
still a lot of families in Chamoli district, Uttarkashi, Pauri and Rudraprayag district
are dependent on them as alternative sources of livelihood by collecting and selling
them to middle men or locally.
4.4.3 Extraction of Lichens as an Alternative Livelhood to Locals
Lichens are ecologically important as they provide food, shelter and nesting materials
for a variety of wild animals (Pandeya and Yadava 2016; Kumar 2009; Misra 2008;
Kumar and Upreti 2008). Extraction of lichens from September to March month
of every year is an important alternative livelihood option for poverty laden local
communities of Ghesh and Van village in Pinder valley of Chamoli district. Lichens
have huge commercial demand as key ingredient in different dye, perfumery and
traditional medicine industries. Lichens are also in high demand in international