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Bio-diversity in Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh

By the Department of Forests, Government of Jammu and Kashmir

Bio-diversity in Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh: Status Of Biodiversity In J&K

Broadly speaking, Biodiversity of J&K can be categorized into following types of Ecosystems:

1. Biodiversity of Agricultural Ecosystems.

2. Biodiversity of Fresh Water Ecosystems

3. Biodiversity of Forest Ecosystems

4. Biodiversity of Cold Desert Ecosystems.

Wild Biodiversity

All plants and animal forms including microscopic organisms which originated or colonized the available habitats on their own and are thriving without man’s assistance come under the category of Wild Biodiversity. Such life forms are more adopted to local conditions and have the inner resilience to cope with the changing environmental pressures.

Wild Flora of J&K

The perusal of literature on the floristic studies of J&K reveals that Victor Jacquemont (1803-82) was the first botanist to enter the picturesque valley of Kashmir to undertake the floristic study of that time. He collected a large number of plants and his collections were studied by J. Cambessedes & F. Decaisne (1845). W. Morrcraft was the first European to study the plants of Ladakh region.

He also studied the plants of Kashmir valley from 1822 onwards. Godfrey Thomas Vigne (1835) collected 99 specimens from Kashmir and neighbourhood. Falconer, another famous plant collector also made notable collections from Kashmir in 1839. John Forbes Royle sent many collectors to Kashmir during 1833-1839 and published an illustrated account of Kashmir plants in 1839. Thomas Thomson (1848) collected several plants from different parts of the state and data was published in London Journal of Botany Vol. 1 : 68, 1849. Other botanists who ventured into the floristic studies of the Kashmir included Schlagint weit (1855-1877), William Hay (1862), J.L. Stewart (1868) and Handerson & Hume (1873). C.B. Clarke visited Kashmir in 1876 and collected a number of specimens. Duthie (1893-1894) recorded his floristic observations in the Records of Botanical Survey of India.

The first half of the present century witnessed the publication of two important books, B.O. Coventry’s, “Wild Flowers of Kashmir”(1923-30) and E. Blatter’s “Beautiful Flowers of Kashmir” (1927-28). Both these books were known better for their contribution in promotion of popular knowledge than their taxonomic value.

Other notable additions to the floristc studies of the period include the work of Meebold (1909), Keshavanand IFS (1906-08), Steward (1916-1945), Lambert (1933), Blatter(1927), Bamber(1919), Mukerji(1940) and Pennell(1943). Hooker(1872-1897) also described plants of Kashmir in his book, “Flora of British India”. Lambert (1935) listed the forest trees and shrubs of J&K State.

After the reorganization of the Botanical Survey of India, T.A. Rao in 1960 made the first botanical exploration in some parts of the state and account is published in the records of Botanical Survey of India. The explorers of recent times include Kapoor et al (1963, 1986) Y.K. Sarin (1971), Singh and Kachroo (1976) Dhar and Kachroo (1983), Brij Mohan Sharma (1981) who have made contribution towards documentation of various floras of different parts of the State. The recent flora entitled “Flowers of the Himalaya”, by Polunin & Stantion (1984), “Flora of Jammu and Plants of Neighborhood” by B.M. Sharma & P Kachroo (1981), Flora of Trikuta Hills by S.K. Kapoor and Y.K. Sarin (1989), “Flora of Udhampur” (1998) by Ajai Swami & B.K. Gupta and Wild and Cultivated Plants of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh by Om. Prakash Vidharthi, IFS (1997) has also contributed towards floristic studies of this State. Some of the notable works in this field are:

Forest Flora of Srinagar and plants of neighborhood by G. Singh & P. Kachroo (1987). 1. The flora of Ladakh by Stewart R.R. (1916-17). 2. Flora of upper Lidder valleys of Kashmir Himalayas by B.M. Sharma & P.S. Jamwal Vol I & Vol II. 3. Flora of Jammu and plants of neighborhood by B.M. Sharma & P. Kachroo (1981). 4. Flora of District Doda of Bachan Lal Whellum & Rani Mangotra (Ph.D. work). 5. In addition to these works in the field of higher plants, exploration and documentation of lower group of plants has also been attempted by various workers and notable works are:

1. Algal Flora of Ladakh by Shashi Kant & Pushp Gupta. (1998).

2. Diversity of Macro fungi of Bhaderwah by Rajkumar Rampal

3. Floristic studies in Bryophytes of Kashmir Himalaya by F.A. Bandey (1997).

4. Taxonomic studies on Hepatic Flora of District Jammu by Sarika Gupta (2002)

5. Hepaticae & Anthocerotae of Jammu Division by Mohd. Tanwir & Anima Langar (Unpublished work).

6. The Hepaticae of Kashmir Valley by S.C. Srivastava (1979).

Based on¬¬ available data (Published and Unpublished) diversity of various plant groups in J&K is represented as under:

Table 26: Plant group wise number of species reported

Source: <st1:PlaceType ">University of Jammu & University of Kashmir (Ph.D. & other research documents consulted)

Fossil records

The Pleistocene flora of Kashmir stands described by Puri (1945 to 48) and Mittre (1964). This flora represented 128 modern species spread over 69 genera & 34 families of angiosperms. Three distinct types of flora identified in the valley are:

1. The Liddermarg Flora: This flora comprised mainly of Quercus leucotrichophora and Quercus glauca which are today totally absent in the area. The other prominent species were those of Pinus, Cedrus, Mallotus, Ficus, Acer, Litsaea, Cinnamomum, Machilus, Phoebe, Buxus, Skimmia, Toddalia, Pittosporum, Rhamnus, Berchemia, Myrsine, Syringa, Wendlandia, Pyrus, Cotoneaster, Alnus, Berberis, Cornus, Parrotiopsis, Dermodium, Inula, Acorus, Scirpus, Cyperus, etc. (Puri, 1960, Miltre, 1964).

2. Laredura Flora: In this type of flora both tropical & temperate elements were discovered but tropical species were predominant. Main tropical species recorded are Woodfordia fruticosa, Mallotus philippenensis, Engelhardtia colebrookiana, Odina woodier & Olea cuspidata.

3.Temperate species include Ulmus wallichiana, Quercus semicarpifolia, Quercus dilatata, Quercus ilex, Betula alnoides, Betula utilis, Acer caesium, Acer villosum, Berberis lycium and Conifer Genera like Pinus, Cedrus & Abies (Puri & Mittre, 1960, 64) Temperate species are still existing in the valley but sub-tropical Geneva like Mallotus, Woodfordia, Myrsine, Engelhardtia & Olea are non-existent today and this supports the view that Liddermarg flora developed under tropical conditions.

3. Ningal Nullah Flora: This flora was usually represented by forms like poplars, willows, cherries, walnuts, maples, elms, elders with an abundance of spruce, silver fir, pine & cedar (Puri et al 1983). Various `modern representatives of these plants still flourish in the Valley and occupy an altitudinal zone between 2100 m & 3000 m on the Northern side of the Pir-Panjal. This indicates that at least in this part of Kashmir, there persisted temperate climate during the pleistocene.

4.The earliest flora reported from J&K is from Early Carboniferous of Kashmir (Liddar Valley, Banihal) to late pleistocene (Siwalik Strata of Jammu), Karewas of Kashmir. The state of J&K is endowed with rich fauna ranging in age from Cambrian to recent fauna include both invertebrates and vertebrates.

A number of publications reporting fauna and flora from the state are available in the records of Geological Society of India and Professional Research Journals of National and International status. The records and research journals are available with GSI and Geology Department, University of Jammu, Jammu. The Departments hosts a record of research publications of last 150 years.

Source: Dr. G.M. Bhat, Deptt. Of Geography, Field guide North West Himalayn Successions along Jammu-Srinagar Transect, 1999

Recent contribution on invertebrate fauna from the state is those of GSI workers, University of Jammu and Wadia institute of Himalayan Geology. The vertebrate fauna reported from the state is mostly from Shiwalik and Karewas strata. The contributions include those of D.N. Wadia, GSI workers, Scientists of Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, ONGC and University of Jammu.

Bhat and his co-workers have also reported flora from Lidder valley and Margan pass which is the earliest known flora from the Himalaya (early carboniforous may be U. Silurian). Other reports on flora from J&K state are those of Gangomopteris and Glossoopteris from Zewan and Nishatbagh beds of Kashmir.

Most important vertebrate faunal localities include Ram Nagar (Udhampur), Uttarbani area in Jammu. Karewa beds at Pampore, Shopian, Hirpura, Pattan, etc. These localities have a great potential for fossil fauna and need to be explored.

The type localities for fossil flora include Lidder valley Banihal area, Gulabgarh pass and Nishatbagh and Zewan beds. Siwalik and karewa beds also yield micro fauna and flora. Faculty of the Departments of Geology, University of Jammu is actively engaged in its exploration. They include Prof. G.R. Prasad (micro vertebrates), Dr. M.A. Malik (Micro-invertebrate fauna), Bhat, G.M. and co-workers (micro flora).

Cambrian fossils of Kashmir: Trilobites and Brachiopods, pteropod hyolithes and cysted eucystites.

Ordovician-Silurian fauna: Brachiopods and crinoids, corals and strophomenids. Carboniferous fossils: Brachiopods, Bryozoans, Trilobites, Lamellibranchs, (Flora: Pteridophytes, Gangomopteris beds, Glossopteris,) Amphibian, Archegosaurus ornatus and Fishes - Amblypterus kashmirensis and A. symmetricus.

Fossil Plants: These have been obtained from Liddar valley, Gulabgarh pass, Gulmarg, Khunamuh and Resin Spores, Nagmerg, Bryozoa, Corals and Brachiopods.

Triassic fossils of Kashmir: Ammonoids, (Meekoceras, ophioceras, otoceras,) Lamellibranchs, Brachiopods.

Jurassic: Ammonites, Beleminites, Lamellibranch and Brachiopods.

Cretaceous: Foraminifera, Gastropods and Corals.

Tertiery: Karewas: Representatives of Molluscs and some plants, Elephas, Rhinoceras, Bovids and Mammothus. Birds, Fish and Plants.

Siwalik: Representatives of Equidae, Rhinoceratidae, Suidae, Giraffidae, Bovidae, proboscidea, Anthracotheridae, Hippopotamidae, Primates, stand reported.

The Muree structural formation which is exposed around Patnitop-Batote area represents sandstones, slates, shales and claystones. A bed found in this belt called Larea bed is lenticular with a Palkhai Syncline. The fauna collected consist of 2 fragments of ridge crest of Probo-scidean molar and a dozen species of Lammelli-branches (Khan et al, 1971) which include Nucula, Acila, Nuculana, Mytilus, Unio, Tellina, Apolymetis, Solecurtus, Venus, Meretrix, Pitar, Pholadomya, Lyonsia sp. & Thracia species.

Microflora obtained from Nagrota formation i.e. upper Shivalik sediments exposed at Bantalab-Jammu Byepass road reveals a total of 24 genera and 30 species of Gymnospermous and angiospermous pollen, pteridophytic spores, fungal spores & conidia (Sarkar & Bhat, 1998).

The distributional pattern of spores & pollen grains in the Bantalab upper Shivalik Succession indicates the presence of stagnant fresh water conditions in view of high incidence of Zygospores of Zygnema and Spirogyra.

The presence of Microthyraceous ascostromata indicates a warm and humid climate having rain forest type of vegetation. Occurrence of aquatic pollen grains belonging to Lotus & Typha family as well as pteriodophytic spore Striattriletes suggest a swampy environment in the area.The geological history of the Kashmir Valley has experienced the upliftment of the present Pir Panjal range by about 2000 m to keep the mansoon influences away from present Kashmir (Wadia, 1961). The pre-historic Satisar lake silted up and water was drained off leaving behind remanants in the form of present day lakes like Dal, Manasbal and the Wular. The Karewas lie in isolated tracts and at depths below 300 m having remains of pleistocene age. During ice-age valley experienced several periods of extreme cold alternating with warm periods culminating into the temperate flora of the Kashmir valley.

The Pleistocene flora of Kashmir stands described by Puri (1945 to 48) and Mittre (1964). This flora represented 128 modern species spread over 69 genera & 34 families of angiosperms. Three distinct types of flora identified in the valley are:

4. The Liddermarg Flora: This flora comprised mainly of Quercus leucotrichophora and Quercus glauca which are today totally absent in the area. The other prominent species were those of Pinus, Cedrus, Mallotus, Ficus, Acer, Litsaea, Cinnamomum, Machilus, Phoebe, Buxus, Skimmia, Toddalia, Pittosporum, Rhamnus, Berchemia, Myrsine, Syringa, Wendlandia, Pyrus, Cotoneaster, Alnus, Berberis, Cornus, Parrotiopsis, Desmodium, Inula, Acorus, Scirpus, Cyperus, etc. (Puri, 1960, Mittre, 1964).

Fig. 57: Plant fossil reported from Arbal near Banihal. Source: Dr. G.M. Bhat, Deptt. Of Geography, Field guide North West Himalayn Successions along Jammu-Srinagar Transect, 1999

5. Laredura Flora: In this type of flora both tropical & temperate elements were discovered but tropical species were predominant. Main tropical species recorded are Woodfordia fruticosa, Mallpic otus philippensis, Engelhardti, Colebrookia, Odina woodier & Olea cuspidata. Temperate species include Ulmus wallichiana, Quercus semicarpefolia, Quercus dilatata, Quercus itex, Betula alnoides, Betula utilis, Acer caesium, Acer villosum, Berberis lycium and Conifer Genera like Pinus, Cedrus & Abies (Puri & Mittre, 1960, 64) Temperate species are still existing in the valley but sub-tropical Geneva like Mallotus, Woodfordia, Myrsine, Engelhardtia & Olea are non-existent today and this supports the view that Liddermarg flora developed under tropical conditions.

6. Ningal Nullah Flora: This flora was usually represented by forms like poplars, willows, cherries, walnuts, maples, elms, elders with an abundance of spruce, silver fir, pine & cedar (Puri et al 1983). Various `modern representatives of these plants still flourish in the Valley and occupy an altitudinal zone between 2100 m & 3000 m on the Northern side of the Pir-Panjal. This indicates that at least in this part of Kashmir, there persisted temperate climate during the pleistocene.

7. Thus during the successive stages in the phytogeographical evalution of Kashmir valley since early quaternary as a result of repeated cooling & warming of climate in the pleistocene times together with a cycle of organic movements, the original vegetation got transformed from a sub-tropical type with typical Oak-Laurel community to the present temperate type with pine-deodar-silver fir-cherry-horse-chestnut community and in the process Oak, laurel-chir communities vanished.

Existing Floristic diversity

Algal flora – Algal taxonomic studies in J&K state can be traced back to 1930, when Bhatia initiated the study on freshwater Rhizopods and Flagellates from Kashmir followed by Bharadwaja (1936), Mishra (1937) and Randhwa (1942, 1948) who also contributed towards algal taxonomy in this part of the country. Subba Raju’s notable contribution about the algal flora of Kashmir came in 1963. Saxena & Venkateswarlu (1968) also contributed significantly regarding Desmids of Kashmir. Subsequent efforts by Kant & Kachroo (1971 to 1977), Kachroo (1983), Kant & Anand (1978), Khan & Zutshi (1979), Zutshi & Vass (1977), Kant & Raina (1985) and Kant & Sodhi (1976) also contributed towards documentation of algal elements in the state.

Available records reflects that about 800 species of algae stand reported from various region of state. The Chlorophyceae i.e. green algae forms the largest groups with over 440 species and the Rhodophyceae i.e. red algae is the smallest group with only two representatives in this state. Diatoms and blue-green algal forms are also predominantly represented in various waterbodies having 266 and 171 species respectively (Kant & Vohra, Kant & Gupta).

Work on Charophytes started with the discovery of Lychnothamnus barbatus from Surinsar lake by Kant & Sodhi (1976). During the subsequent explorations regarding the occurrence of Charophytes in Jammu region, V.K. Anand & Gayatry Langer recorded 13 species of Charophytes belonging to 3 genera of Nitella (4), Lychnothamnus (1) and Chara (8). The algae of Ladakh has been extensively studied by Shashi Kant & Pushp Gupta and the findings stand incorporated in their book, “Algal Flora of Ladakh” 1998. In this book, total number of 848 species stand described. Classwise record of new species, varieties, forms and combinations are tabulated as under :-

Table 27: New species, varieties, forms & combinations of Algae reported from Ladakh

Source: Algal Flora of  Ladakh by S. Kant & Pushp Gupta.

Detailed list of the new species is given under the heading “New records of plants in Jammu & Kashmir”. The detailed list of algal species is at Annexure-II

Mycoflora : Notable contributions in the field of fungal-floral of J&K stand made by D. Ganguly & V.R. Pandotra (1962, 1963, 1964, 1966), T.N. Koul (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961 & 1962), B.B. Mundkar (1944), G.N. Qasba & A.M. Shah (1979, 1980, 1981, 1982), L.E. Wehmeyer (1963, 1964), Raj Kumar Rampaul, Yash Paul Singh & Geeta Sumbli (1998) and Y.P. Sharma (1999-2000). More than 400 species of microscopic and macroscopic fungi stands documented by various workers.

Studies on mycoflora associated with pre-harvest and post-harvest of various rosaceous fruits like quince (Cydonia oblonga), Indian jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana), sweet cherry (Prunus aviurn), plum (Prunus domestica), apple (Malus pumila), crab apple (Docynia indica) and pear (Pyrus communis) stand carried out in Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany in Jammu University by various workers like Geeta Sumbli, Yash Paul Sharma (1977), Yash Paul Singh (2001), Rozy Bamba (2001), Kusum Badyal, Suresh Sharma, Shallu Samyal etc. Sanjana Kaul & Geeta Sumbli (1997 & 2000) has also worked on Keratinophilic fungi collected from poultry farm soils and Indian poultry birds in Jammu. These workers have reported many new records of mycopathogens from different pome fruits. Detail is given in the table as under:

Table 28:                New records of mycopathogens found in stored pome fruits at <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jammu</st1:City> Wholesale Market (Yash Paul Singh & Geeta Sumbli, 2000).

Source: Dr. Geeta Sumbli, Pathology laboratory, Deptt. Of Botany, Univ. of Jammu.

Earlier workers who have contributed towards exploration and documentation of macro fungi in J&K are Murill (1924), Kaul & Kachroo (1974), Kaul et al. (1978), Abraham et al. (1980, 1981, 1984), Watling (1980), Watling & Gregory (1980) and Watling & Abraham (1986).

Raj Kumar Rampal in his Ph.D. thesis titled, “Ecological Studies on the Macrofungi of Bhaderwah Forests, Jammu (J&K)” submitted to University of Jammu, has enlisted 80 species of macro-fungi growing in different ecological sites under high altitude coniferous forests of Bhaderwah. Detail of various species alongwith habit, altitude and edibility is given in the table :

Table 29: Habitat and distribution of Macro fungii reported from Bhaderwah

Source: Dr. Raj Kumar Rampal, Deptt. Of Environmental Sciences, University of Jammu.

Five species of macrosopic ascomycetes has been reported by Shashi Kant & Raj Kumar Rampal (1990) as new records for J&K and they are Geopyxis catinus, Helvella atra, Helvella elastica, Otidea leporina and Septularia arenosa.

Five new records of clavariace reported from Bhaderwah forests (J&K) are Clavaria vermicularis, Ramaria apiculata, Ramaria flavobrunnescens, Ramaria stricta and Sparassis crispa (Shashi Kant & Raj Kumar Rampal, 1991). The detailed list of Fungal Taxa is given in Annexure-III

Bryophytic flora : Among five bryogeographically rich units of Indian sub-continent, Himalayan region is one of the richest area as far as bryophytic wealth is concerned. West Himalayan territory being comparatively more dry has less bryophytic diversity as compared to East Himalayas but this part of region has also a good number of endemics. Various taxa endemic to this region are Radula (4 sp.), Frullania (6 sp.), Cryptomitrium himalayensis, Aitchinsoniella himalayensis, Cyathodium indicum, C. flabellatum, Geocalyx graveolens, Exormotheca tuberifera, Stephensoniella brevipendiculata, P. himalayensis etc. (Srivastava, 1998). This region is also the centre of distribution of Chiloscyphus as maximum diversity exists here.

Out of three regions of the state, only Kashmir has attracted the attention of earlier bryologists like Stephani (1900-1924), Kashyap (1929-1932), Robinson (1965), Kaul & Dhar (1968) and Srivastava (1979). Recently Bandey (1997) has explored the bryophytes of Gulmarg and adjacent regions like Khillanmarg, Tangmarg, Ferozpur, Khagh, Arizal, Poshkaur and Beerwah of Kashmir and collected 63 species including 14 liverworts and 49 mosses. Of these 6 liverworts are new records for Kashmir valley and they include Blepharostoma trichophyllum, Lophocolea bidentata, Marchantia nepalensis, Plagiochila ferruginea, P. spinulosa and Riccardia pinguis. Later, Bandey et al. (1998) enlisted 48 liverworts from Kashmir valley including 25 foliose and 23 thallose forms and reported total absence of hornworts in the valley.

Bryo explorations in Jammu region were started by Om Prakash (1983-84) and he reported 27 liverworts, 2 hornworts and 13 mosses from Jammu plains and Udhampur hills (data unpublished). Mohd. Tanwir (2000) carried extensive survey in tehsil Mendhar of Poonch district and collected 38 taxa of bryophytes (19 foliose and 19 thallose liverworts and 1 hornwort). Tanwir & Langer (2002) added more hepatic taxa to thsi list and now the total number of hepatics from Jammu region has gone upto 70 (data unpublished). Out of this, 13 species reported are rare and endemic to the region and are enumerated as under :-

S. No.	Name of Taxa	Status
1.	Metzgeria himalayensis	Endemic
2.	M. conjugata	Extremely rare
3.	Jungermannia gollani	Endemic
4.	Plagiochila woronofii	Endemic
5.	Astrella angusta	Endemic
6.	A. reticulata	Rare
7.	Athalamia pinguis	Rare & Endemic
8.	A. pusilla	Rare & Endemic
9.	Marchantia kashyapii	Endemic
10.	Targionia indica	Endemic
11.	Wisnerella denudata	Rare
12.	Stephensoniella brevipendiculata	Rare & Endemic
13.	Anthoceros bharadwajii	Endemic

(Source : After Aneema Langar & Mohd. Tanwir)

 

Pant (1983) reported a hepatic species as disappearing fast from Nainital. Out of these nine sp. six stand reported from Jammu and these are Athalamia pinguis, Dumortiera hirsuta, Reboulia hemispherica, Stephensoniella brevipendiculata, Wiesnerella denudata and Conocephalum conicum. Other three species reported by Pant from Nainital are Cryptomitrium himalayensis, Fossombronia himalayensis and Sewardiella tuberifera and these awaits discovery from this region. The detailed list of Bryophytes is given in Annexure-IV. Pteridophytic flora : Many workers including Clarke (1880), Hope (1903), Stewart (1945, 1957, 1982), Bir (1964), Bir & Trikha (1968, 1976), Bir et al. (1980, 1985), Dhir (1980), Dixit (1984), Dixit & Das (1979), Gupta (1962), Khullar & Sharma (1980), Mahabale (1962), Satija et al. (1983) and Fraser Jankeins (1984) have made notable contributions in the field of pteridophytic flora of India including Jammu & Kashmir. In Jammu & Kashmir, Javeid (1965) explored ferns and fern allies of Srinagar and Kapoor & Sarin (1977, 1982) made some contribution with regard to ferns of Jammu particularly Trikuta Hills. Kiran & Sharma (1976) and Kiran & Singh (1981) have dealt with ferns of Poonch district, Kant & Kaushal (1996) and Kant & Anil Raina (1988) made some documentation of Patnitop and Bhaderwah area of Doda district.

As per available published record, 93 species of pteridophytes (ferns and fern allies) stand reported by different workers from Jammu region and maximum pteridophytic diversity exists in Poonch, Bhaderwah and Basohli areas of Jammu. The detailed list of Pteridophytes is given in Annexure-V Gymnospermic flora : Although, the gymnospermic diversity is not rich in the state, yet gymnosperms form the dominant component of high altitude forests called Coniferous Forests. Dhar (1966,68) was probably the first worker to provide a concise account of the distribution of conifers in India including J&K.

In the state of J&K, about 14 species of different Gymnosperms grow wild in different areas, 4 species belonging to cupressaceae; 2 species of Ephedraceae ; 7 species of Pinaceae; 1 species of Taxaceae and their list is as under:- 1. Cupressus torulosa

2. Juniperus communis

3. Juniperus semiglobosa

4. Juniperus squamata

5. Ephedra gerardiana

6. Ephedra intermedia

7. Abies pindrow

8. Abies spectabilis

9. Cedrus deodara

10. Picea smithiana

11. Pinus gerardiana

12. Pinus roxburghii

13. Pinus wallichiana

14. Taxus wallichiana.

Source: Sh. Ravi Kesar, IFS, SFRI, Jammu.

About twenty four gymnosperm species are also seen under cultivation in the state and they are:-

1. Cupressurs arizonica

2. Cupressus cashmeriana

3. Cupressus corneyana

4. Cupressus glabra

5. Cupressus guadalupensis

6. Cupressus sempervirens

7. Juniperus chinensis

8. Thuja orientali

9. Ginkgo biloba

10. Pinus canariensis

11. Pinus halepensis 12. Pinus radiata

13. Crypromeria japonica

14. Sequiodendron giganteum (Only one tree seen at Tangmarg)

15. Taxodium distichum (Only one tree seen at Jammu)

16. Podocarpus wallichianus

17. Agathis robusta (only in Jammu)

18. Araucaria bidwillii

19. Araucaria cookii

20. Araucaria heterophylla

21. Cycas revoluta

22. Cycas circinalis (Only in Cactus garden, University of Jammu)

23. Zamia furfuracea

24. Ephedra foliata (Only one plant at Jammu)

The detailed list of Gymnospermes is given in Annexure-VI

Angiospermic Diversity : Different workers have contributed towards floristic studies from different areas of Jammu & Kashmir. Floristic explorations in J&K started with W. Moorcraft’s collections from Ladakh (1821 onwards). Jacquemont collected samples from Rajouri, Thanamandi, Bhimber and parts of Kashmir (1838-1840). Royle’s Flora of Cashmere was published in 1839. Hooker’s Flora appeared between 1872 and 1897. This work made a passing reference to the Jammu plants. Stewart’s Ladakh Flora was published in 1916-1917. Duthie (1894), Meebold (1909), Blatter (1927-1928), Coventry (1923-1930) also made extensive collections from Kashmir. Plants of Jammu received attention in Bamber’s Flora of Punjab (1916). Lambert (1933) gave a list of trees and shrubs of Jammu Forest Circle. Rao (1960-1961) also described the vegetation of Jammu & Kashmir provinces. In the first volume on “Flora of Upper Lidder Valleys of Kashmir Himalaya” by B.M. Sharma & P.S. Jamwal (1988), 295 species were documented and described which included 6 species of Gymnosperms, whereas in the 2nd vol. (1998) which dealt with the remaining families (not included in 1st vol.) 463 species were described. In all, enumeration of 758 species were given in two volumes, for the area under survey.

In the subsequent effort, “Weed Flora of Kashmir Valley” was prepared by M.K. Kaul (1985) wherein description of 401 weed species was incorporated having 223 native and 178 introduced species. In “Forest Flora of Srinagar” 1976 by Gurbachan Singh & P. Kachroo, a total of 661 species in 376 genera of angiosperms stands dealt with (in contrast to 2104 species under 750 genera reported from Kashmir). It deals exclusively with the flora of Dachigam National Park. “Flora of Ladakh” by G. Singh & P. Kachroo, the “Alpine Flora of Kashmir Himalaya” 1983 by Dhar & Kachroo, M.K. Kaul (1986) recorded 401 species of Flowering weeds in the Kashmir Valley, “Flora of Jammu and Plants of Neighbourhood” 1987 by B.M. Sharma & P. Kachroo, exhaustive floristic account of flowering plants stands documented.

In “Flora of Upper Lidder Valley of Kashmir Himalaya” Vol. 1 (1988) Sharma and Jamwal have described 301 species belonging to 130 genera under 35 families and in Vo, 2 published in 1988 same Authors have described a total of 463 species under 211 genera and 51 families. The “Ara et al 1995 listed 295 species of indegenious and exotic species from Kashmir. “Wild & Cultivated Plants of Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh” 1997 by O.P. Vidyarthi listed 2300 species which however includes many ornamental exotics, both herbaceous as well as woody. More than 300 species stand reported from Ladakh by different workers. The work done by O.P. Chaurasia in the Defence Research Laboratory, Leh under the Ministry of Defence is more exhaustic and comprehensive in dealing with Cold Desert Plants of Ladakh. He has enumerated about 350 species from various regions of Ladakh. ‘The Flora of Udhampur District’ was completed by Ajai Swami & B.K. Gupta (1997) under the Botanical Survey of India’s scheme titled, “India District Flora Scheme”. In this flora, a systematic analysis of 807 species belonging to 495 genera stands given. Another work relates to Flora of Trikuta Hills by Kapur & Sarin. A Ph.D. work done by Bachan Lal Whellum deals with Flora of District Doda wherein 400 species stands systematically analysed.

Fig. 62: Species diversity within Genus Torilis

Top left: T. arvensis; Top right: T. japonica Middle left: T. leptophylla; Middle right: T. nodosa; Bottom: T. stocksiana Source: Dr. Irshad Ahmad Hamal, Deptt. of Botany, Univ. of Jammu. According to Virjee et al. (1989) state of Jammu & Kashmir has 3054 species of higher plants. Out of total species, 2403 are Dicots and 651 are Monocots (P. Kachroo, 1993). Extent of endemism is about 39% for Dicots and 19% for Monocots (Dhar & Kachroo, 1983). The families with highest percentage of endemism in alpine and sub-alpine Himalayas are enumerated as under

Table 30: Families having maximum endemism in Kashmir Himalaya

S. No.	Name of Family	Extent of Endemism
1.	Adoxaceae	100%
2.	Balsaminaceae	66%
3.	Berberidaceae	64%
4.	Fumariaceae	55%
5.	Violaceae	54%
6.	Apiaceae	54%
7.	Gentianaceae	54%
8.	Saxifragaceae	53%
9.	Asteraceae	52%
10.	Scrophulariaceae	52%
11.	Celastraceae	50%
12.	Aceraceae	50%
13.	Valerianaceae	50%
14.	Dipsacaceae	50%
15.	Campanulaceae	50%
16.	Fabaceae	49%

Source: Dhar & Kachroo, 1983

Extent of endemism in various families of Kashmir Himalaya is given in the table: