Plant Diversity along Yamuna River in Delhi: A Status

The Yamuna River is one of the most sacred rivers of Indogangetic plains in India. The Delhi segment of Holy River extends for over 48 km stretch from Palla village to Okhla barrage. In the present work, an extensive survey of various wild growing plants along Yamuna bank was carried out with a view to record the species which are medicinally important. Data on their pastand present distribution, relative abundance, rarity, habit and habitat was recorded. It has been observed that many plants like Boerhavia chinensis L., Capsella bursapastoris (L.) Medik., Heliotropium indicum L., Hemigraphis hirta T. Anderson etc are struggling for their survival due to pollution and shrinkage in species specific habitat.