Assessment of Threatened Medicinal Plants in Langtang National Park Central Nepal

Abstract

Langtang National Park is a unique habitat for a number of highly valuable medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). Of the 51 species of MAPs prioritized by CAMP workshop, 20 species are found in the area. This includes 11 species under IUCN threat category, 4 species under CITES Appendix II, 8 species under DPR prioritization and 18 species under HNCC prioritization. The area also harbors many threatened and endemic plants like Jurinea dolomiaea, Meconopsis dhwojii, Heracleum lalli, etc. The present study is an endeavor to document information on their status, distribution and assess their extent of threat. The study encompasses two field visits during the pre-monsoon and post monsoon seasons. Ecological tools have been used to assess population status of threatened species in the area. Rapid Vulnerability Assessment of threatened species was made to assess their resilience to human use. The species are concentrated to two main hotspot areas: CholangpatiGosainkunda sector in the south-west and Langtang-Kyanjin sector in the north-east. These areas are rich in threatened and endemic species as well as high valued medicinal

plants. Collection of MAPs for local use as well as large scale collection for trade is

prevalent in the area. The species that are in trade includes Swertia chirayita,

Nardostachys grandiflora and Valeriana jatamansii. The total amount of NTFPs traded from Rasuwa district in the fiscal year 2062/63 was about 91,000 kg with revenue collection of NRs. 390,000. A small number of households have started cultivation of MAPs in their farm lands. The cultivated species include Swertia chirayita, Paris polyphylla, Valeriana jatamansii, etc. Many species in the area are threatened due to

unsustainable harvesting to meet the increasing demand by trade. Study shows that Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora and Nardostachys grandiflora

are the most vulnerable species that are subjected to high threat risk. The vulnerability score placed Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora in threat category I, representing highest vulnerability. Six species of MAPs, namely Aconitum spicatum, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Jurinea dolomiaea, Meconopsis dhwojii, Nardostachys grandiflora and Swertia angustifolia belonged to threat category II. Similarly, 3 species belonged to threat category III. This includes Fritillaria cirrhosa, Rheum australe and Valeriana jatamansii. Sustainable harvest and promotion of these species into cultivation can enhance the natural resource base of the area.