thnomedicinal and conservation evaluation of the traditional medicinal plant species employed by the Van Gujjar Tribe in the Dehradun Shivalik Hills, Uttarakhand, India Authors

Background: To the best of our knowledge, this is first quantitative and conservation ethnomedicinal evaluation Van Gujjar Tribe inhabited in Delhi-Dehradun Highway Shivalik hills Belt (DHSB). The study area situated adjacent to biodiversity hotspot Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand, which an important part Himalayan systems. ecologically sensitive, increasing anthropogenic disturbance overexploitation medicinal herbs also major concern. So, along with conventional ethnobotanical studies, analysis important. Methods: This comprised extensive field surveys repetitive interviews 120 informants tribe different social educational backgrounds. Procured data were analyzed using three indices, i.e. relative frequency citations (RFC), informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL%). Collected plant samples identified by relevant flora literature online databases. Identified species status was derived from IUCN database. Results: A total 71 67 genera 41 families documented area. most frequently used species, Zingiber officinale Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Ageratum conyzoides L. employed for multiple health issues, mainly digestive respiratory disorders. highest RFC values are Z. (RFC = 1.0), Juss. (0.99) (0.92. FL% these 96%, 90% 83 % viz. ICF value 0.98, shares dental & gum problems, disorders wounds categories. reported indicated 28.1 least concerned, 4.2 critically endangered (Chlorophytum borivilianum,Commiphora wightii, Nardostachys jatamansi ), 1.4 near threatened endangered, 2.8 Data Deficient, while 61.9 remained unknown as currently not available Red list. Highly utilized however under ‘least concerned’ category. Conclusions: aids current Belt. Medicinal such Chlorophytum borivilianum, Commiphora others could be prone due overexploitation. present help fill previous studies gaps Keywords: flora, Himalaya, status, Critically Endangered Species, Traditional Knowledge,