Vaneet Jishtu

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Scientist at Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE)

The various forms of human manipulation, such as biodiversity loss, urbanization, etc., have increased since the beginning of the twenty-first century and have spread consistently across the Indian Himalayan region (IHR). Over the last three decades, the people of the mountain region have been confronted with the multiple effects of climate change....

The present study was conducted in the Ramshehar range of the Nalagarh Forest Division to examine the variation in species composition, diversity, and structure of arboreal plant species along an altitudinal gradient. Field visits were conducted in the study area from March 2023 to September 2024. The Ramshehar range forests exhibit two forest type...

The chapter reviews the current trends in the demand and extraction of wild medicinal herbs in the Western Himalaya. Using the case studies from the state of Himachal Pradesh, it provides information on highly traded species, current extraction pressure driven by market dynamics, and impact on the ecology and threat status of such species. The stud...

Himalaya is enriched with a huge diversity of flora and fauna vital for maintenance of the ecological balance. The multiple forms of human manipulation, such as biodiversity loss, urbanization, etc., have increased since the beginning of the 21st century across the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). The present study covers Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctu...

The North Western Himalayas of India represent immense ecological significance and are characterized by unique biodiversity and rich cultural diversity. In recent years, the climate change impressions have become increasingly evident, affecting ecosystems and communities in this fragile mountainous landscape. This chapter discusses the significance...

The current study aims to document the diversity of fodder species, their availability and role in livestock sustenance in the Nalagarh Forest Division of Himachal Pradesh. 117 fodder-providing species belonging to 41 families were documented, out of which 40% were trees, 15% shrubs, 40% herbs, and 4% climbers. Poaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Malvac...

The present investigation was conducted to document the different wild edible plants and their ethnobotanical uses in the Rajgarh Block of District Sirmaur. Ethnobotanical information was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and interactions with the area’s indigenous community. Seventy-five species were recorded in 63 genera of 42 famili...

Chamabainia cuspidata Wight (Urticaceae), Debregeasia orientalis C.J.Chen (Urticaceae), and Hydrocotyle himalaica P.K.Mukh. (Araliaceae) are being reported here as new additions to the fora of Himachal Pradesh, India. All three species were collected from Khokhan Wildlife Sanctuary in Kullu district. Of these, H. himalaica also forms an addition to...

The extreme and unique trans-Himalayan ecosystem of the cold desert region in NW India sustains several important medicinal plants, representative to the region. Ethnomedicinal knowledge based on plants validates to be functional in this harsh and secluded topography, where proper medicinal facilities are still wanted. Simultaneously, large-scale e...

India is one of the foremost countries not only in Asia, but worldwide famed as far as the wealth of traditional knowledge and floristic richness is concerned. Within India, the state of Himachal Pradesh is rich in plant diversity and in addition is also gifted with rich and diverse heritage of cultural traditions. Arboreal plants form an integral...

Cold desert landscape of Ladakh holds endemic and unique biodiversity of ethnobotanically important medicinal plants. These medicinal plants have been regarded as rich resources of traditional medicines since the advent of human civilization. As a result of rugged terrain, inaccessible landscape, harsh climate and lack of medical facilities in the...

Encouraging results with involvement of total 335 households (HH) and saving of 40% fuel wood with mountain solar water heating systems in 307 households were observed. Rural artisan earned Rs. 6,46,500/-from fabrication of Solar water heating system. At the same time button mushroom cultivation model for forest communities provided immediate cash...

The harsh landscape of the cold desert region of NW India, nurtures abundant and distinctive ethnobotanically important plants. This floral wealth wrapped up with rich traditional knowledge is important for the indigenous people of the region, as well as for the researchers. The current study was carried out in selected villages of Leh district of...

Particulate pollutants below 10 micron (PM 10) and gaseous pollutants such as Sulphur Dioxide (SO 2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO 2) and Ammonia (NH 3) were monitored. In and around the commissioned hydroelectric project Srinagar Garhwal, PM 10 concentration was found as low as 88.1±2.0 µg m-3 ranging from 63.6 to 104.2 µg m-3. On the other hand, Tapovan-...

This chapter attempts to trace the developments in ectomycorrhizal (ECM) research in India. The research on ECM in India was initiated at erstwhile FRI (now ICFRE) at Dehradun after independence in the late fifties by Dr. B.K. Bakshi and collaborators. They described the ECM in some important forest trees, viz., Pines, Deodar and high-altitude coni...

Myxomycetes, acellular slime moulds or plasmodial slime moulds are interesting organisms exhibiting characteristics of both plants and animals. Herein is given a historical account of the systematics, ecology and life cycle studies on Indian Myxomycetes. The history of research of Indian slime moulds can be broadly divided into three periods. Perio...

Abstract Himachal Pradesh has rich diversity of medicinal flora right from its drier foothills to the high alpine moist meadows. This medicinal flora has been in use from generations for the basic therapeutic purposes by the local communities. Every region of the state has their own healthcare system and the local communities know how to use and...

Leguminosae, known as the legume, pea or bean family, form one of the most diverse, climatically resilient, and socio-economically important group of flowering plants in the trans-Himalayan cold deserts. Whereas many of the native plants belonging to the genera Caragana and Astragalus, form vast expanses of low thickets in the region holding on to...

This baseline study was carried out to ascertain the role of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in the livelihoods among local communities of Kwar Panchayat, Rupin Valley of Shimla district. Qualitative data was collected through random sampling where a total of 100 households were sampled in the villages. Structured interviews, group discussion an...

The AM associations are integral symbiotic associations of both wild and cultivated plants. It has been widely investigated in the cultivated plants but less so in the wild plants. In this article the AM diversity in some very important and threatened wild plants of the tribal belt of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh is being reported for the first time...

This small book is intended to provide a systematic account of the Rhododendrons in the state of Himachal Pradesh where its four species form an integral component of the forest ecosystem, especially in the high altitude fragile transition zones. They have not received the desired attention and thus an attempt has been made to compile and consolida...

The present investigation was carried out in Udaipur, Lahaul & Spiti, H.P. Seven treatments with three spacings were studied to observe the impact on growth parameters. Treatment of FYM + Vermicompost @ 10 ton per hectare gave maximum fresh weight of bulbs (6.197 g), dry weight of bulbs (3.314g), total fresh yield of bulbs/ha (1254.4 kg) and total...

Fritillaria roylei Hook. f. is an important medicinal plant and is a member of the plants constituting in Ashtavarga. Due to medicinal importance and high market value. It being exploited heavily. The present paper is a communication results of the survey made on soil characteristies in the habitat of this plant in Dhel Thach.

Human and cattle population in India is continuously increasing thereby putting the natural resources under tremendous pressure. In India about 85% of the rural populace still heavily dependent upon the forests to meet their day-today needs of fuel, fodder and timber etc. To meet these ever-increasing demands, introduction of fast growing species i...

The present study was carried out to document traditional knowledge on ethno-medicinal plants used by indigenous people of Kanda range, Chopal Forest Division, Himachal Pradesh. Information on these plants was collected from 109 people including traditional healers of ten different villages through semi-structured interview during May-June, 2016. A...

The present study was carried out to document traditional knowledge on ethno-medicinal plants used by indigenous people of Kanda range, Chopal Forest Division, Himachal Pradesh. Information on these plants was collected from 109 people including traditional healers of ten different villages through semi-structured interview during May-June, 2016. A...

Chilgoza pine, Pinus gerardiana, inhabits cold desert areas of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh. It is a multiutility tree with much value attached to the seeds, which are edible and a commercial crop, therefore due to the over-exploitation, the pine is facing great threat and proceeding towards extinction. Various methods have been tried to restore the...

Studies to assess the floral diversity in Salix fragilis L. plantation in cold desert of Spiti valley of North-West Himalayas was carried during August 2005. The plantation and control sites were surveyed for floristic composition, distribution pattern, species diversity and dominance. Maximum plant diversity was recorded in plantation site and min...

Studies to evaluate the plant diversity and growth forms in alpine pasture of Talra Wildlife Sanctuary of District Shimla, Himachal Pradesh were carried out during August, 2003. Total 75 species of plant, comprising of 7 grasses, 4 sedges, 4 leguminous forbs and 60 non-leguminous forbs were recorded from the area. On the basis of Importance Value I...

The present article communicates information on importance of some potential Non-Timber Forest Produces, viz. fibres, floss, grasses, bamboos, canes, essential oils, oil seeds, tannins, dyes, gums, resins, medicines, spices, edible wild plants, animal and mineral products from Western Himalayan forests.

Changes as brought about in diversity of floral species and in chemical properties of soil under pure plantations of Robinia pseud-acacia and mixed plantation raised over the mine overburden areas of Paonta Sahib in Sirmour District of Himachal Pradesh were studied during August, 2000. The number of ground flora species under Robinia pseud-acacia a...

Agroforestry plays an important role in the development and improvement of an area. The existing agroforestry practices in different parts of India and their potential contribution to sustainable development in cold desert region of Himachal Pradesh, India, as well as the potential for developing and improving agroforestry with rural people partici...

The study was conducted in the cold desert region of India in the State of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. Colutea nepalensis Sims attains an average height of 1.20 m with 2.50 m 2 average crown area. The shrub provides effective soil cover and binds soil over an area of 3.25 m 2. The contribution of aboveground biomass was maximum (57.61%) t...