Abstract

Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D. Don, a lesser known medicinal plant in trade during past decades has gained popularity in commercial utilization these days. This species is locally known as Nagchhatri and distributed between 2,500 to 4,000 m across the Himalayan region. Roots of this taxon are used to cure dysentery. In 2011, due to unscrupulous extraction of this species from wild in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, its population has decreased to a great extent. Such practices have left the species in dwindling condition. Therefore, the present study has been carried out to assess the quantum extraction and income generation from this species. The surveys were conducted in 16 representative villages of Upper Beas, Parbati, Banjar and Lag valleys and Mohal Khad Watershed of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh. Maximum extraction (that is, 607 kg) was done in Upper Beas Valley (UBV) and inhabitants earned Rs. 5.46 crores, whereas minimum extraction was done from Mohal Khad Watershed (that is, 89.5 kg/day) and inhabitants earned Rs. 80.55 lakh during three months. Unsustainable commercial harvesting with other biotic pressures synergistically posed a severe threat to its existence in natural habitats. Therefore, for the conservation and management of species, population assessment using quadrat method, development of conventional and in vitro propagation protocols for mass multiplication, promotion in ex-situ and in-situ environment, and awareness among the inhabitants are suggested.

Key words: Biodiversity, Himalayan region, conservation, native, threatened.