The Kashmir Himalayas, by virtue of being hilly and mountainous, with varied altitudinal gradients and a variety of macro and micro-climatic regimes, host a wide range of economically important plants, quite different from other regions of the country, in wild as well as in cultivated states. Additionally, since centuries the native farmer selections among useful indigenous plants for biomass, and the selective introductions from the Mediterranean, Europe and other temperate areas have also resulted in the accumulation and diversification of enormous plant genetic variability with respect to plants of agri-horticultural importance. Most of the economic plant species of this gene pool are region specific, some being strictly endemic, while others are locally long adapted, after introduction in the agro-ecological conditions of the region. Since the settlement of human population in the region, these plants have been catering to all the basic needs of the native people with respect to food and medicine, shelter and clothing. Possessing such a vast and unique plant biodiversity, Kashmir region has remained a leading biomass producing region of the country and is known for the export of its fruit, nuts, etc. As a result of unique geographical peculiarities, different climatic regimes, unique flora and fauna, the people of the region have their own cultural heritage, ethnic folklore, traditional healthcare systems, food habits and beverages. The man-plant relationship, since times, has also shaped their cultural identity, language and socio-economic development. Despite population pressures and climatic changes these plant resources shall continue to hold vast potential for current and future users for sustained development and wellbeing of the inhabitants.

Significantly since the last several decades, these precious plant resources are now under threat and their constituents are slowly losing their habitat, their diversity and abundance mainly due to population pressures, change in land use pattern, urbanization, deforestation and erratic weather patterns. In addition, the selected cultivation of certain plant types and neglect of others for commercial gains, over harvesting of wild populations, continuous replacement of adapted and indigenous crop varieties (Farmer’s Varieties/ Land Races) by modern high yielding varieties/ hybrids and adoption of bio-hazardous production technologies have also contributed to the loss of native crop varieties and other economic plants growing in the wild. The rate of loss of native food cum economic plants has gained momentum as a result of institutional incentives to farmers to preferably cultivate newly bred high yielding crop genotypes which are economically more viable and resilient to climatic changes.

Now after decades of adoption of new technologies and introduction of high yielding varieties and hybrids, most of the precious Land Races and other locally long adapted cultivars of all........

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