Threat Categorization and Conservation Prioritization of Floristic Diversity in Pangi Valley of Himachal Pradesh, North Western Himalaya

Abstract Extinction is the most irreversible phenomenon of all the major environmental calamities happened on earth crust. Biodiversity extinction rate is faster than the natural extinction with the results of changes land use pattern, unsustainable use of natural resources, pollution, habitat degradation, climate change, invasion of alien species, conversion of forest land for cultivation and residential as well as commercial purposes resulting in natural habitat degradation and is a direct cause of extinction and loss of biodiversity. In the present investigation, an approach has been developed to prioritize species at local level in Pangi valley, District Chamba by using six conservation attributes i.e., population size, habitat preference, distribution range, anthropogenic pressures, extraction trend, use pattern, endemism and nativity. Threat categories of floristic diversity were identified on the basis of Conservation Priority Index. Of the total 780 species of vascular plants recorded, 95 species were fallen under different threat categoriesi.e.,14 species Critically Endangered,18 Endangered,25 Vulnerable,38 Near Threatened and other species were under Least Concern category. As per IUCN threatened list, out of total, 02 species were reported under Critically Endangered, 07 Endangered, 05 Vulnerable, 02 Near Threatened and remaining species under Least Concern categories. Out of total, 08 species were reported under Critically Endangered,09 Endangered 08 Vulnerable by many researchers in Himachal Pradesh. Maximum 75 threatened species were identified between 2801-3800m; 31 were recorded in Cedrus deodara community, followed by 24 in Betula utilis community. The overexploitations and unsustainable use of natural resources and destruction of habitats contribute to the major loss of biodiversity. Therefore, regular monitoring of populations and habitats, development of conventional protocols, establishment of species in-situ conditions and habitats and replication of this approach in other parts of Indian Himalayan Region have been suggested.