Plant wealth of Darjiling and Sikkim Himalayas vis-à-vis conservation

Abstract

The richness of the flora of Darjiling Hills along with Sikkim and Nepal parts of the Eastern Himalaya is well known and that has attracted plant lovers, explorers and hunters almost equally for the last three centuries or so. The processes of evolution worked in this part of the Himalayas almost in an undisturbed condition for millions of years assisted by much varied but extremely favourable climatic conditions and has produced innumerable new species, a good proportion of which are still endemic to the region. The vegetation structure and the flora in different parts of this region have developed as per the local climatic make-up. So, when almost tropical vegetation is found on outer low altitude areas, it is sub-alpine to alpine to arctic in high altitude areas especially above 3000 m. Terai and Duars are located at the feet of the hills are maintaining a contiguous rich vegetation. The vegetation scenario in this region is changing very fast during last three or four decades mostly due to anthropogenic activities. Extension of civilisation along with the population explosion lead to the increase in forest extraction, rate of modification of floristic composition, pollution content, soil erosion, plant introduction, clearing of natural vegetation etc. There is evidence that the force of evolution is still active here but the lack of proper corridor (along with other factors mentioned above) for plant migration will certainly cause the weakening of numerous local species and the rate of extinction of species will increase in a logarithmic scale. Like any other part of this planet here also it appears to be one nearly impossible task to save the local biodiversity. Just the declaration of some Protected Areas is not enough. Activities through ecotourism are also affecting the conservation practices. Unless we succeed to conserve the natural vegetation on this planet the entire biosphere will be dead within next 100 years.