Traditional practices have a major role in livelihood of tribal communities in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) for their sustenance. Among the traditionally and economically important plants, different parts of plants have been used for making traditional eatable products, agricultural instruments, furniture, as religious and medicinal purposes. The local communities have rich knowledge base about the indigenous uses and traditional practices of plant species, but require proper documentation for their conservation and sustainability. The present study is an attempt to assess the indigenous knowledge and traditional practices of plants by the tribal communities in Pangi valley of Himachal Pradesh. Total of 45 species (Angiosperms 36; Gymnosperms 06, Pteridophytes 01 and Fungi 02) representing 25 Herbs, 11 Trees, 06 Shrubs, 01 Fern and 02 Fungi belonging to 23 families and 39 genera of traditionally important floristic diversity were recorded. Among the family, Rosaceae (06 species); Apiaceae (05 species); Asteraceae and Polygonaceae (04 species each); Lamiaceae, Oleaceae and Pinaceae (03 species each); Saxifragaceae and Ephedraceae (02 species each) families were the major contributors. Of the total species, 21 species were natives and 24 non-natives to the Himalayan region, and 05 species near-endemics and 03 endemics to the Indian Himalayan Region. Of the total, 24 species fallen under different threat categories i.e., 03 species critically endangered, 07 endangered, 09 vulnerable and 15 near threatened. Over utilization, early collection before ripening and habitat degradation may result in local extinction. Therefore, for the conservation of these species, studies on habitat ecology, development of conventional and in vitro propagation protocols; introduction in the natural habitats; and education and awareness programs for the tribal communities have been suggested.
