Depleting Indigenous Knowledge of Medicinal Plants in Cold-Arid Region of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya

A significant decline in indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants is observed among ethnic communities in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya. The study documents 38 medicinal plants used to treat 24 ailments, but their use is dwindling due to limited education and intergenerational knowledge transfer. Analysis using the Knowledge Richness Index reveals disparities across age groups, highlighting urgent conservation needs for this traditional wisdom. To address this, the research advocates for educational initiatives and the development of digital platforms like those recognized under the Convention on Biological Diversity to preserve and disseminate ethno-medicinal knowledge.

Kumar A, S. A. (2015). Depleting Indigenous Knowledge of Medicinal Plants in Cold-Arid Region of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya. Medicinal & Aromatic Plants, 04(03). https://doi.org/10.4172/2167-0412.1000195