THE CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS - IFEAT

Geographically the state is divided into threeregions: outer Himalaya, inner Himalaya andalpine pastures. The rainfall in the outerHimalayan region varies from 152-178 cms andin the inner Himalayan region from 76-102 cms.The alpine region remains under snow for 5-6months.The climate varies from cool to severe cold withsnow-covered areas.Therefore, a wide range of aromatic plants canbe found here.! Total area 55,673 square kilometres! 40% area under forest! Altitude 460 metres – 6,400 metres! Divided into three regions! Outer Himalaya 152cms - 178 cms! Inner Himalaya 76 cms - 102 cms! Alpine pasture under snow 5-6 months! Climate is cool to coldest with snow coveredareaKey Aromatic Plants found in Western HimalayasAcorus calamusArtemisia maritima,A vulgaris, A.dranculus,A. absenthiumAngelica glaucaCedarus deodaraCinnammomum tamalaCurry leaf (Murraya koenigii)Corydalis govanianumCympopogon speciesEucalyptus speciesFerula speciesGeranium, speciesElschcltzia cristataHedychium speciesCyperus rotundasHumulus lupulus(HOPS), JuniperspeciesJasmine speciesMentha speciesNardostachys jatamansiOcimum speciesPinus roxbughi, P. walichinaRosa moschataRamlin-farnesiaSassurea lappaSkimmia laureolaThymus serphyllum,T.vulgarisTagetes minutaUsena luceaValerian wallichiiZanthoxylum alatumZingiber officinale (Ginger)Essential oils from aromatic plants that are found wild in large quantities in the western Himalaya,include:• Himalayan cedarwood oil• Himalayan juniper berry oil• Indian tagetes oil• Hedychium oil• Indian calamus oil• Valerian oils etcThese will be discussed in this paper. Essential oils from these plants are economically important andare used for various fragrance and flavour compositions. These oils are consumed domestically as wellas exported to other countries.64