Indian Journal of Plant Genetic Resources

Central Himalayan region of India is not only a mega plant biodiversity zone but also it has a very rich agro biodiversity coverage embodying landraces and wild ancestors of domesticated plants. In the wake of depleting agro biodiversity base in the region, a study was carried out to investigate the status of in situ conservation of these crop plants on-farm in the areas of Tarikhet and Ukhimath Blocks of Kumaon and Garhwal regions in Central Himalayan middle hills. After the pilot survey was conducted to finalize the objective of selecting locations in 2003, a pre-tested standardized technical questionnaire based study was carried out during 2004. The areas covered in this study are less explored and underprivileged almost in the center of the state representing the ecological, agricultural and cultural portraits of both the regions. In between the similarities and dissimilarities in the cropping pattern in both the areas, the richness and intensity of agro biodiversity conservation was comparatively more in Tarikhet as to that of Ukhimath particularly while expressing in situ conservation of traditional and coarse grain crops on-farm. Traditional crops and cultivars are still having favor though receiving declined interest due to invasion of HYVs (high yielding varieties), change in agricultural practices, varying lifestyles and food habits. Indian authorities should stronghold the mega-measures for conserving plant genetic wealth in the wake of globally effective and widely accepted efforts of FAO for the conservation of rare, traditional and wild plant genetic resources particularly in the under-privileged areas of the country.