Plants in the High Hmalayas

The high Himalayas represent a unique region that plays a critical role in deciding the weather of the Indian subcontinent. Weather in the Himalaya has played an important role in shaping life and survival in the mountains – including its unique flora and fauna.

In this autumn edition of Himkatha, https://www.himkatha.org/_files/ugd/37786b_e3776ffb950e4f2b85cd387526a233ab.pdf we take a look at plants and plant life of this region.

High mountain ecosystems impose strong environmental constraints on plants since they can grow only in a short span of 3-4 months each year. Early
plant growth depends on snowmelt in spring. As a result of the short growing season, and cold and arid climatic conditions, one doesn't find tall plants like trees except near watercourses and of course where water is provided through irrigation. To cope with these climatic constraints, most plants have developed adaptations that allow them to persist in these environments.

Local plants have played an important role in curing illnesses using the *Sowa-Rigpa tradition* of medicine, https://www.himkatha.org/the-sowa-rigpa-medical-tradition which relies on indigenous knowledge of the medicinal values of local plants. Interview with 71-year-old Amchi
Chhering Tashi of Hansa village in Spiti, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ5K5DjtgqQ we learn about the origin of this tradition and how it is being practiced.

There are four fundamental books, which need to be learnt by heart by any Amchi. They explain the symptoms of every illness and contain details of its treatment and medication. When a patient approaches me, I first check their pulse and sometimes their urine. I then match the description of the symptoms with those in the handbook. The handbook gives details of all the local plants and their medicinal values

Living at the Edge: Plants of High Himalayas https://www.himkatha.org/living-at-the-edge the mountains support a stunning array of plants adapted to survive at high altitudes and in harsh climates .Plants in high Himalayas are highly specialized and have remarkable adaptations to endure extreme conditions. They tend to have a massive below ground root system that stores the photosynthetic product (carbohydrates) for the prolonged winter months when they are devoid of the photosynthetic organs (leaves). Most of the plants in highest elevations do not grow high, as the temperature near the ground is warmer, and protect them from strong winds. Some also have a hairy-body (with trichomes), which protects them from the strong UV radiation, and act as extreme heat protectant.