Population status, threats, and conservation of <Trachycarpus takil>: an endemic and threatened plant species in western Himalaya, India

Population status and endemism are important concepts in biogeography and conservation biology. Given the dataset’s importance and limited availability, we studied the population status and distribution pattern as per the IUCN Red List categories and criteria for Trachycarpus takil in Uttarakhand. The study aimed to identify the targeted species’ location-specific population status, distribution, area of occupancy (AOO), extent of occurrence (EOO), and resource use patterns. An intensive field visit was conducted in remote areas of Pithoragarh District, Uttarakhand, to identify location-specific information on T. takil in the wild. The AOO was recorded at 28 km2 and the EOO was 2,078.80 km2. T. takil is used by locals to prepare ropes, brooms, and seeds from the wild, which are collected for trade. The study suggests that, as per the IUCN Red List categories and criteria, the species can be included under the ‘Endangered’ category [B1ab(iii,v) and B2ab(iii,v)] and requires immediate conservation actions to save the wild population.