HIMALAYAN MEDICINAL PLANTS WEALTH, THREATS AND CONSERVATION FOR SECURING THE FUTURE OF BIODIVERSITY

The Himalayas are a rich reservoir of medicinal plants, which span across eight countries and cover 18% of the Indian subcontinent, with approximately 1,748 species utilized for medicinal purposes. However, these resources are jeopardized by excessive harvesting and climate change. This is the first comprehensive analysis of the Himalayan plants in order to demonstrate the traditional features of the Himalayan flora up to this point, the data on the medicinal flora was categorized. The family names were recorded alongside the number of plants. The species' habits, the components used, and the application technique were observed. The diseases cured by the medicinal flora were categorized into 12 types. A total of 150 species of medicinal plants representing 68 families were recorded. The plant family Asteraceae, comprising of 21 species, was found to be the most often indicated, followed by Lamiaceae, which had 9 species. The components most often used were the leaves and roots. Paste (75 Plants) and powder (69 plants) were the most often utilized preparations for these medicinal plants. The current analysis reveals substantial variation in the preparation methods of medical medicines among the plant species. 126 plant species were utilized for treating dermatological conditions, and 120 species were found to be effective against gastrointestinal conditions. This study underlines the importance of these medicinal plants for tackling global efforts to protect biodiversity to ensure the future of upcoming generation through conservation efforts essential to the continued use of these invaluable resources.