Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 21: The Department of Botany, University of Jammu (JU) organized a lecture on “Habitat Specificity and Conservation of threatened plant species in India” by Amber Srivastava, a senior research fellow from Botanical Survey of India, Dehradun.
Initiating his talk, Srivastava informed that India is one of the 19 mega biodiverse countries of the world and rank fifth in Asia harbouring ca 11.4 percent of the world’s floral diversity. Presently, India represents 47791 species of plants distributed in its various geographical regions (Plant Discovery, 2014). About 28 % taxa are endemic to the country and confined their distribution in Western Ghats, North-West Himalayas, North-East India, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
“In recent years, habitat loss and degradation due to anthropogenic activities and other natural causes has resulted in the immense loss of biodiversity. Many species have become threatened and several are on the verge of extinction”, he elaborated.
”It, therefore, becomes necessary to protect such species under direct vigilance to ensure their survival and conservation in near future both in-situ and ex-situ. Conservation of threatened species in botanic gardens through ex-situ method is the most promising way of conservation”, said Srivastava.
Earlier, Prof Yash Pal Sharma, Head, Department of Botany, JU, in his welcome address highlighted that in view of the disturbing trends of decline in the number of important plant species, efforts to conserve and manage plants are critically needed around the world.
On the occasion, Srivastava also gifted several rare plants including Catamixis Baccharoides, Incarvillea Emodi, Selaginella Adunca, Pittosporum Eriocarpum, and Pancmukhi Rudraksh for plantation in the Botanical garden.
The lecture was attended by the students, research scholars and faculty members.
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