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The population density, patterns in collection and indigenous uses of Timroo, an important medicinal, aromatic and religious plant, were studied in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state in India. Structured questionnaire surveys were conducted in selected villages for gathering information, followed by quadrat sampling for assessment of population density of Timroo in the surrounding village forests. Timroo had high cultural, medicinal and aromatic values, and considered as sacred species by the local people as it was offered to the Lord Shiva, Rudra, Vairaun, Narshingh, and Guru Gorakh Nath. Timroo was used frequently for curing toothache, pyria and allergy. In the study villages, the density of Timroo was highest around the Naurakh village (841 individuals/ha), followed by Nauti (366 individuals/ha) and Bhimtalla (260 individuals/ha). Besides Ficus palmata, Principia utilis and Pyricantha crenulata, 25 major woody species associated with Timroo in the study area. The presence of associated species of Timroo varies with localities. The unsustainable harvesting of aboveground plant parts of Timroo before setting even flowers, in the study area, has mounted tremendous pressure on its existing populations and regeneration in the wild. The study discusses various other social and economic dimensions of Timroo collection in view of developing strategies for its long-term conservation.
Chandra Prakash Kala (Fri,) studied this question.