MEDICINAL PLANT CULTIVATION AND BIOSPHERE RESERVE MANAGEMENT - A CASE-STUDY FROM THE NANDA-DEVI BIOSPHERE RESERVE, HIMALAYA

Conservation-induced natural resource management options are of signif icance for effective management of biosphere reserves where people res erve conflicts are the prime attention of management plans. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR) in Garhwal Himalaya is one such area where e xisting conflicts drew researchers' attention on management of natural resources, The cultivation of medicinal plants existing in this area has become a major activity with conservation-oriented land use change s. We describe here the agronomic practice and uses of eight medicinal and aromatic plants cultivated in the NDBR buffer zone villages of Ga rhwal Himalaya, The efficiency of resource use and economic returns in dicate how such low-volume, high value crops which were suggested for this region have not only the potential for economic betterment of peo ple of this area but also help the cause of conservation in this biosp here reserve.