Vanishing plant wealth of the Valley of Flowers

Abstract

The ‘Valley of Flowers’ –a National Park, is located in the upper reaches of the Bhyunder Ganga in the far interior of the Garhwal Himalaya. This Alpine Valley, reputed for a variety of blooming plant species, is now facing an abrupt peril of losing its charm, owing to human encroachment in various ways. The present article attempts to describe its vegetation from the phyto-sociological point of view alongwith the floristics. It is revealed that some of the species reported from this locality during the past 2-3 decades earlier, have been completely eliminated. The greatest danger which the valley is facing stems from the rapidly increasing population of the pernicious weed Persicaria polystachya, Osmunda claytoniana, a tall fern, is also spreading very fast and in due course will definitely prove yet another hazard. It is alarming to note that ‘Himalayan Blue Poppy’ (Meconopsis aculeata) for which the valley has been so famous, can hardly be seen now. Our list includes 330 plant species encountered in this area, alongwith a separate enumeration of plant species which have become rare. Some suggestions have been offered towards restoring the grandeur of this beautiful abode of Nature.