Assessment, extraction pattern and restoration through propagation of Angelica glauca, a critically endangered Himalayan medicinal herb

Abstract

Himalayan medicinal plants are at risk of over-exploitation. Many medicinal plants of the region are being exploited unsustainably to meet local as well as global demands. Hence, conservation initiatives must be formulated after gathering information on availability and the type and extent of pressure on a particular species and these must be supported by simple propagation methods. The present paper analyses the status of Angelica glauca Edgew. in two centres of Western Himalaya. The availability of the species in the wild is low and it is subject to severe threat largely from overgrazing and anthropogenic pressure. Because of the influence of traders from outside, local inhabitants are losing interest in traditional conservation mechanisms. The existing scenario shows that natural populations of A. glauca need to be preserved. One option for promoting this is seed propagation to offset existing trends and encourage cultivation. Addition of indole-acetic acid (IAA) was found to be effective in improving germination. Seedling survival and performance was significantly better at higher elevations. The study thus assesses the status and threats A. glauca and suggests an easy propagation method.