45 flora species face threat of extinction in Sikkim, India

Forty five species of flora are facing extinction in Sikkim, a Botanical Survey of India (BSI) report has said.

Plant species like aconitum ferox, dioscorea deltoid, pseudotenesa, acronema and ephedra gerrardiana are some that are endangered, senior BSI scientist Mr Kanad Das said.



The findings came to light recently when a BSI team undertook an exercise to update the status of the flora species in Sikkim. The survey was in particular aimed at identifying the endemic, endangered and threatened species of the flora in the Himalayan state, Mr Das said, adding the status of the floral species in Sikkim on the basis of the latest survey would be sent to the Centre.

The BSI has infrastructure, including nurseries, to preserve various floral species and so if any particular species of flora faces threat of extinction then preserved ones could replace such plants, Mr Das said.

Sikkim has about 4,400 varieties of flora species. - PTI

News Courtesy & Thanks :- The Hindu