ANTHROPOGENIC THREATS AND THEIR IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON MEDICINAL FLORA OF WESTERN HIMALAYA-NEELUM VALLEY (AZAD JAMMU & KASHMIR)

The goal of this study was to observe anthropogenic (human) threats and evaluate their Overall Threat Impact (OTI) on 44 high-valued medicinal plants of Neelum Valley, located in the Western Himalayan range (Azad Jammu & Kashmir). According to the findings, there are currently 28 anthropogenic threats to medicinal plants that belong to the 10 primary threats categories. The major threats observed in the local ecosystem were traditional uses, commercial uses, weak law enforcement, social issues, deforestation, habitat loss, soil erosion, over grazing by livestock, water deficit, and development. Among the total (44) examined species, 14 species are endemic to the Himalayas; of these, 2 species show the narrow distribution and are restricted to W. Himalayas. All reported medicinal taxa were assessed for their Overall Threat Impact (OTI). Of these, 23 species (52.27%) were facing very high OTI, followed by 11 species (25%) in high OTI, 8 species (18%) with low OTI, 2 species (4.5%) with medium OTI. Among all observed threats, the leading threats to plants were unsystematic overcollection, social issues and habitat loss respectively. The medicinal flora, which is graded from high to very high OTI, requires more attention on a priority basis for their long -term survival and sustainable utilization.