Assessing the impact of climate change on medicinal herbs in Humla district
Author(s): Pabita Shahi, Ram Asheshwar Mandal and Ajay Bhakta Mathema
Abstract: Himalaya of Nepal is recognized as the rich source of medicinal herbs. Impacts of climate change are serious issues especially in this region and the resultant effects are on the natural resource equally. However, there is very limited research related to this in high hill of Nepal. Thus, this research was objectively conducted to assess the trend of temperature, rainfall and their impact on production of medicinal plants. Humla district was selected as the study site. Observation, household survey, FGD and KII were applied to collect primary data. While secondary data was collected from DHM, DFO and other related governmental agencies and authorities. The trend analysis of maximum temperature showed the increasing trend in Humal district. The recorded temperature was the highest 18.7 0C in 2003 which was the lowest only 5.0 0C in 1991. The minimum temperature was also increasing from 1990 to 2018 which was the highest 6.4 0C in 2018 but it was the lowest -2.5 0C in 1997. The estimated annual rainfall was deceasing by -5.1313 mm every year from 1980 to 2018. In fact, it was the highest 1750 mm which was declined to 400 mm in years 1982 and 2001. The production of
Morchella esculenta (Guchhi chau) is generally related to the annual rainfall. The rainfall record of 2010 was not available but the most of the people shared that there was more rainfall in this year so the production of
Morchella esculenta was the highest 13496 kg in 2010. It was found that the production of
Delphinium himalayai decreased with increased of temperature. It was found that the production of
Nardostachy grandiflora was the highest 36429 kg in 2009.
Rheum australe grows in cold arid climate but thesedays the production had been decreased from 2005.
Paris polyphylla grows best in warm temperature so the production had been increasing. The production of
Swertia chirayita was the highest in 2010. The impacts of climate change were positive as well as negative on the production of medicinal herbs. Therefore, this study will be useful to understand the impact of climate change on medicinal herb in Himalaya.
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How to cite this article:
Pabita Shahi, Ram Asheshwar Mandal, Ajay Bhakta Mathema. Assessing the impact of climate change on medicinal herbs in Humla district. Int J Geogr Geol Environ 2020;2(2):11-17.
