Local Knowledge on the Use of Swertia chirayita as Traditional Medicine: Conservation challenges in Sikkim Himalaya, India

Cordyceps has significantly improved the socioeconomic status of the mountain people in the Sikkim Himalaya, India, but an upsurge in demand and its price has resulted in overexploitation and degradation of the fragile alpine habitat in which it grows. This study aimed to shed light on the distribution, resource abundance, harvesting practices, commercialization, and trade of Cordyceps through household surveys and open-ended interviews with the collectors, sublocal and local traders, and local officials. Significant differences (p < 0.001) in average collection and income per household were observed. The income from Cordyceps ranged from US$ 0.03 to 0.23 million for the 3 villages studied. We conclude that there is a strong need to understand the market of Cordyceps and develop the value chain to regulate its price in Sikkim.

The Sikkim Himalaya is a distinguished hub of maize biodiversity, housing a wide range of genetic resources cultivated at altitudes from 300 to 2500 m elevations. From 2010 to 2022, a field investigation combined traditional knowledge and scientific methods to morphologically characterize maize, supplemented by relevant literature. The objective was to evaluate indigenous maize varieties in the region since the 1960s. The research classified maize landraces into four groups: primitive landraces, preserved traditional popcorn races; advanced or derived landraces, selectively bred for desirable traits; recent introductions from other regions; and hybrid maize varieties resulting from crossbreeding. About 31 maize landraces were listed, emphasizing the urgent need for in-depth genetic characterization. Notably, Murali Makai, Seti Makai, Pahenli Makai, Rato Makai, Baiguney Makai, Gadbadey Makai, Tempo-Rinzing, and Lachung Makai adapted well to altitudes of 300–2500 m, showing variations in agronomic and quality traits, as well as resistance to environmental stresses. Primitive maize cultivars in the Northeastern Himalayas of India have generated interest among researchers for their high prolificacy and their link to the origin and evolution of maize. Prioritization at the species level and within specific geographic regions is necessary due to the dynamic demand for germplasm. Conservation of certain maize germplasm is crucial for food security, livelihoods, climate resilience, and research. The study identified potential risks of germplasm extinction or erosion, emphasizing the need for urgent actions to safeguard these genetic resources.

With more than two decades of livestock grazing prohibition in Sikkim, understanding its impact on forest ecosystem, particularly soil nutrient dynamics, is crucial. Soil nutrient analyses were conducted on samples from four study sites at two depths (0–15 cm and 15–30 cm) during rainy and winter seasons. The treatments were (1) current grazing forests (CGFs; areas where herders graze their animals), (2) old grazed forests (OGFs; grazing was prevalent before the ban on grazing), (3) ungrazed forests (UGFs; not impacted by livestock grazing), and (4) abandoned Kharkas (AKs; open-grazing pastures). Mean soil total nitrogen content in CGF (0.45%) > OGF (0.41%) > UGF (0.37%) > AK (0.34%) showed significant differences (p < 0.05). Similarly, the mean available phosphorus content in CGF (0.12%) and OGF (0.009%) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than UGF (0.007%) and AK (0.006%). Likewise, the mean soil total phosphorus in CGF (108.21 mg 100 gm–1) > OGF (94.75 mg 100 gm–1) > UGF (89.02 mg 100 gm–1) > AK (83.24 mg 100 gm–1) revealed significant (p < 0.05) variation. Mean soil organic carbon and soil organic matter in CGF (3.86%, 6.64%) > OGF (3.76%, 6.47%) > UGF (3.56%, 6.13%) > AK (3.34%, 5.75%) and carbon:nitrogen ratio in CGF (8.61) < OGF (9.19) < UGF (9.53) < AK (9.97) showed significant differences (p < 0.05). Our results confirm that the management of controlled, regulated, and rotational grazing is beneficial for improving the forest ecosystem health in terms of soil nutrient availability.