Sustainable harvesting techniques of Valeriana jatamansi and Picrorhiza kurroa of North Western Himalayas

The present study was conducted during 2009-2014 in high hill temperate regions of Himachal Pradesh, India, to optimize the sustainable harvesting techniques of Valeriana jatamansi (Muskbala) and Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutki), so that these species can be protected, conserved and utilized through effective management strategies. For developing sustainable harvesting techniques for both the species; five harvesting treatments namely control, 25, 50, 75 and 100% were applied in three selected sites for V. jatamansi and two sites for P. kurroa, respectively. The study revealed that the various harvesting treatments had a significant effect on the extent of change in the density of V. jatamansi and P. kurroa. It was observed that 50% harvesting of V. jatamanisi reached the initial density levels after 3 years of harvesting in all experimental sites. Similarly, in case of P. kurroa, 50% of harvesting of plants was appropriate as densities of P. kurroa reached the initial density levels after 3 years of harvesting in the Banserudhar site, whereas, at Tino site, it reached to 98% of initial density level after three years of harvesting. Hence, it is recommended that there should be 50% harvesting of V. jatamansi and P. kurroa after every three years to sustain the population of these species.