CONSERVATION AND UTILIZATION OF MEDICINAL-PLANTS IN HIGH HILLS OF THECENTRAL HIMALAYAS

Many high altitude regions of the world are still occupied by traditio nal communities of people, whose livelihood is closely related to a na rrow base of locally available natural resources. A survey was conduct ed in 1991-94 of two villages inhabited by Bhotiya tribal people in Dh archula block of Uttar Pradesh, India. Medicinal herbs (14 abundant sp ecies, with Parmelia ramitchadalis accounting for >50% by weight) cons titute 12-13% of total income to the villages. The harvest is conducte d by children during August to October, around summer settlements (up to 4100 m altitude) to which the villagers annually migrate. Fifteen c ooperatives with a 1992 membership of 7009 herb collectors and salespe ople exist in the Dharchula block, and marketing is, through two speci alist government agencies. Conservation measures, including protected areas and banning of direct trade with purchasing companies, have not generally been successful; pressure on the plant populations has incre ased and there is evidence for decline in the resource. Cultivation ap pears to represent a viable option for the resource, and thus for the income of the traditional peoples who still depend on it.