Population assessment, distribution pattern and ethno-medicinal study of Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D.Don) So<acute accent>o, in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary of Western Himalaya India

Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D.Don) So ' o (Syn. Orchis hatagirea D.Don) is a perennial threatened medicinal plant species, which extends from subalpine to alpine zones (between 2800-4440 m a.s.l.) of the Himalayas. Commonly, it is known as Hatajari and Hatpanja in Uttarakhand, Salam panja in Kashmir, Wanglak or Angulagpa in Ladakh and Panchaunle in Nepal. Due to its high medicinal properties and overexploitation in nature, the species is threatened with extinction. The present study was carried out to assess the population status, distribution patterns and ethno-medicinal uses of D. hatagirea in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) of Western Himalaya. The vegetation analysis revealed that frequency, density, Importance value index (IVI) and area occupied by the species have declined considerably during recent times, possibly due to general habitat loss, and over exploitation. In order to conserve this species (D. hatagirea) from extinction, its categorization as 'Critically Endangered' in the KWLS is suggested. Due to some specific requirements, its efficient conservation becomes more important as well as a challenging task to accomplish. Hence, an integrated conservation approach is needed to conserve this Himalayan orchid.