Natasha Sharma¹, Chandra Prakash Kala^1,

Among various natural forest products rhododendrons in the Himalayan region are regarded as one of the most important products in terms of consumption and high exchange values. Himachal Pradesh in India endows with many species of rhododendron, of which Rhododendron arboreum (Brash phool) and Rhododendron campanulatum (Kashmiri Patta) are studied in the Kangra district, which falls in Dhauladhar mountain range of the Indian Himalaya. The utilisation of R. arboreum flower as medicine, food supplements and cultural purpose is designated through Use Value Index (UVI). R. campanulatum is primarily used by temporary settlers for fuel wood or for making sheds to animals in the high reaches of the Himalaya because of its presence in this area, which is mainly deprived of other woody species. The population density of R. arboreum was 344.70±0.009 individuals/ha and the IVI was 241.05. R. campanulatum was found in much higher regions with the density of 120.95±0.007 per ha and the IVI 58.94. With respect to the distance from the road the average price of fresh and dry R. arboreum flowers varied. The market value chain of the raw material is complex. It is important to implement sustainable value chains for the management and conservation along with sustainable utilisation of rhododendrons in the study area.

rhododendron, indigenous uses, marketing, population density, management, himachal pradesh