FOLK UTILIZATION OF SOME PTERIDOPHYTES OF DEOPRAYAG AREA IN GARHWAL HIMALAYA - INDIA

Garhwal Himalaya represents one of the richest zones of vegetational w ealth in India. Pteridophytic flora is also interesting in its diversi ty and distribution, however, little is worked out on the economic asp ects of these plants. Therefore, present communication pertains to the folk utilization of ferns and fern-allies by the inhabitants of Deopr ayag Tehsil in Garhwal Himalaya. The studies are based on frequent fie ld trips to various remote localities and collecting the information f rom the local inhabitants. The perusal of literature indicated several little known plants of folk utilization, and a large number of these could prove an important source of wider economic utility after phytoc hemical analysis.