Biodiversity Conservation
Wide range of climatic and edaphic factors across different biogeographic zones has blessed the state with a rich biodiversity. The floral biodiversity consists of about 3256 species of plants including Angiosperms, Gymnosperms and Pteridophytes. More than 503 species of lichens have been reported by various authors from Himachal Pradesh. Studies have identified about 643 medicinal plants from different parts of the State, most of which are globally rare, endangered or threatened to various degrees while about 17 species of medicinal plants are endemic to the Indian Himalayan Region. The State is also blessed with exemplary diversity of orchids with a report of about 84 species and 1 variety belonging to 44 genera. About 65 species of orchids are terrestrial, 13 species are epiphytic and 7 species are mycoheterotrophic in habit. There are 21 species of plants that have been included in various threat categories of IUCN Red List from Himachal Pradesh. The Conservation Assessment and Management Prioritization workshop for medicinal plants held in 2010 at Shimla has assessed 10 species as Critically Endangered, 20 species as Endangered and 17 species as Vulnerable. Thus the natural ecosystems of the State play a crucial role in conservation of medicinal plants biodiversity at genetic and species levels. Taxus wallichiana, Aconitum heterophyllum, Gentiana kurroo, Swertia chirayita, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Angelica glauca, Podophyllum hexandrum, Saussurea obvallata and Nardostachys grandiflora are some examples of important medicinal plants seen in Himachal Pradesh. Cedrus deodara (deodar) has been declared as the State Tree of Himachal Pradesh while Rhododendron campanulatum (pink rhododendron) is the State Flower.
The faunal wealth of Himachal is glorified by the presence of about 8342 species of animals belonging to 4013 genera and 720 families as documented by Zoological Survey of India. About 77 species of mammals, 447 species of birds and 4362 species of insects have been reported from the State. There are about 884 species of vertebrates, 7341 species of invertebrates and 117 species of protozoa. The faunal diversity of the State represents about 8 per cent of India's overall faunal wealth. Unique fauna like the snow leopard, Himalayan blue sheep, ibex, serow, western tragopan, musk deer and Himalayan brown bear can be seen in the high mountains of Himachal Pradesh while fauna like barking deer, common leopard, sambar deer and yellow throated marten can be seen in the middle and lower hills and plains. The elusive snow leopard has been declared as the State animal while the brilliantly coloured Western Tragopan enjoys the status of being State bird of Himachal Pradesh. The Great Himalayan National Park has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO keeping in view its unmatched ecological and cultural significance. Eight species of fauna of Himachal have been enlisted in the IUCN Red List.
The Himachal Pradesh Forest Department plays a vital role in conservation of the rich biodiversity heritage of the State. The objectives of conservation are achieved through various actions and initiatives detailed below:
| Conservation strategy | Numbers | Area (sq.km) |
| National Parks | 5 | 2407.28 |
| Wildlife Sanctuaries | 26 | 5964.97 |
| Conservation Reserves | 3 | 19.17 |
| Ramsar Sites | 3 | 157.31 |
| Zoos | 4 | - |
| Pheasant breeding centres | 3 | - |
| Bird Park | 1 | |
| Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centres | 2 | - |
| Medicinal Plants Conservation Area (MPCA) | 5 | 6.60 |
References
Goraya, G.S., Jishtu, V. and Ved D.K. 2013. Wild Medicinal Plants of Himachal Pradesh: An assessment of their conservation status and management prioritization. Himachal Pradesh Forest Department, Shimla.
Kaur, A., Pathania, P.C. and Gupta, D. 2021. Fauna of Himachal Pradesh (Part - I), State Fauna Series, 26, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata.
Pandey, R., Priya, Malhotra A. and Jasuja G. 2021. Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) for Himachal Pradesh and the Resource Mobilisation Strategy for Implementing the BSAP with Special Focus on Lahaul-Pangi and Kinnaur Landscapes, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, New Delhi, India.
Samant, S.S., Pant, S., Singh, M., Lal, M., Singh A., Sharma, A. and Bhandari, S. 2007. Medicinal plants in Himachal Pradesh, North western Himalaya, India. International Journal of Biodiversity Science and Management 3: 234-251
Thakur, M., Mishra, G.K., Nayaka, S. and Chander, H. 2020. An Assessment of Lichens Diversity from Mandi District, Himachal Pradesh, India. International Journal of Plant and Environment 6(4): 277-282.
Vij, S.P., Verma, J. and Kumar, C.S. 2013. Orchids of Himachal Pradesh. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, New Connaught Place, Dehradun. pp19-48.