Sains Malaysiana 42(10)(2013): 1377–1386

Floristic Diversity in the Kashmir Himalaya: Progress, Problems and Prospects

(Kepelbagaian Flora di Himalaya Kashmir: Kemajuan, Masalah dan Prospek)

G.H. Dar¹* & A.A. Khuroo²

¹Mahatma Gandhi Chair on Ecology & Environment, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University

Centre for Biodiversity Studies, Rajouri-185 234, Jammu & Kashmir, India

²Centre for Biodiversity & Plant Taxonomy, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar - 190 006, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Received: 10 March 2013/Accepted: 12 May 2013

ABSTRACT

The Kashmir Himalaya, being nestled within north-western folds of the Himalaya, harbours a rich floristic diversity of immense scientific interest and enormous economic potential. Though scientific studies on the floristic diversity in the Kashmir Himalaya have been started about two centuries ago, yet they fall short of the requirements needed urgently in the post-Rio Summit. In fact, at the spatial scale, many far flung areas and difficult terrains in the hinterland are still either least- or totally-unexplored; and at the taxon scale, floristic studies especially with regard to the lower plants are insufficient, thus posing serious problems in assessing the floristic diversity in the region. With such a perspective in hindsight, the present paper dilates upon the progress achieved so far, highlights the problems being faced and envisages the future prospects with regard to floristic diversity in this region. First, a broad overview of the current status of floristic diversity in this Himalayan region is presented, followed by a critical analysis of the knowledge base presently available on various taxonomic groups of plants. The yawing gaps in our knowledge of floristic diversity in this region are identified and an action plan to bridge these gaps is also outlined. Hopefully, addressing these challenges in the immediate future could facilitate the documentation, conservation and sustainable use of plant resources in this region, so as to steer this ‘Himalayan Paradise’ towards the path of sustainable development.

Keywords: Conservation; documentation; floristic diversity; Kashmir Himalaya; sustainable use

ABSTRAK

Himalaya Kashmir terletak di kawasan barat laut Himalaya, mengandungi suatu kepelbagaian flora yang kaya yang diminati secara saintifik dan potensi ekonomi yang tinggi. Walaupun kajian saintifik ke atas kepelbagaian flora di Himalaya Kashmir telah dimulakan lebih kurang dua abad yang lalu, tetapi ia masih berada di tahap rendah dan perlu perhatian segera selepas pasca Kemuncak Rio. Pada skala reruang, banyak kawasan yang jauh dan curam yang sukar di kawasan pedalaman masih berada sama ada di tahap paling kurang atau tidak langsung dijelajahi; dan pada skala takson, kajian flora khususnya tumbuhan rendah adalah sangat tidak memadai, justeru memberi masalah serius dalam penaksiran kepelbagaian flora di rantau itu. Dengan perspektif sedemikian, kertas ini membincangkan kemajuan yang dicapai kini, mengutarakan masalah yang ditemui dan mengandaikan prospek masa depan berkenaan dengan kepelbagaian flora di rantau ini. Pertama, suatu penilaian secara umum mengenai status terkini kepelbagaian flora di rantau Himalaya telah dipersembahkan, diikuti oleh analisis kritikal ke atas pangkalan pengetahuan yang tersedia bagi kepelbagaian kumpulan taksonomi tumbuhan. Luang yang jelas di dalam pengetahuan kita mengenai kepelbagaian flora di rantau ini telah dikenal pasti dan suatu pelan tindakan untuk mengurangkan jurang ini telah digariskan. Adalah diharapkan dengan mengutarakan cabaran ini untuk masa depan membolehkan pendokumentasian, pemuliharaan dan penglestarian sumber tumbuhan di rantau ini agar ia dapat memacu ‘Syurga Himalaya’ ke arah pembangunan lestari.

Kata kunci: Himalaya Kashmir; kepelbagaian flora; pemuliharaan; pengdokumentasian; penggunaan lestari

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*Corresponding author; email: profdar99@gmail.com