The cold desert biome of Spiti Valley, located in the north-western Trans-Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh, is a biodiversity-rich region supporting a wide range of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) within its unique ecosystems. These temperate and alpine species serve as important raw materials for traditional herbal medicines used in the Amchi healthcare system practiced in Spiti Valley. This indigenous system, derived from Tibetan medicine and linked to the broader Chinese medical tradition, represents a valuable cultural heritage. Experienced Amchis prepare herbal remedies using traditional formulations by combining various plant species to treat local tribal communities. However, the survival of these medicinal plants and the continuity of the Amchi tradition are increasingly threatened by rapid developmental activities in the fragile Trans-Himalayan region. Depletion of plant resources from easily accessible areas has further weakened the profession and created serious concerns for the future of this traditional knowledge system. The present manuscript highlights plant species at risk from development pressures and notes the changing social trend of abandoning traditional medicine. Sustainable resource management, environmental awareness, and participatory assessment before development projects are essential to conserve both medicinal flora and this cultural heritage.
Bandana Dhiman (Thu,) studied this question.