Species Recovery Plan for <I>Phyllanthus Singampattianus</i> (Sebastine & A.N. Henry) Kumari & Chandrab., – An Endemic, Critically Endangered and Highly Medicinal Shrub of Tropical Riparian Fringing Forests in Southern Western Ghats, India

Abstract

Phyllanthus singampattianus (Sebastine and A.N. Henry) Kumari and Chandrab is one of the strict endemic and critically endangered woody shrub of Euphorbiaceae family with high ethnobotanic properties. It naturally occurs in Tropical riparian fringing forests of Southern Western Ghats, India. The species has a very narrow endemic zone of distribution in Tirunelveli Hills of Tamil Nadu. The habitats of the species in Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) were analysed using GPS and stratified random sampling techniques. Satellite remote sensing data with the aid of GIS were used for site-specific mapping of the threatened species and identification of the status of niches with regard to its growth and degradation. Growth habit, botanical description, silvicultural characters, ethno botanic and other utility of the species are provided with photographs. The places of endemism, precise point-location data on the phytogeographic parameters of the area are illustrated with relevant maps. The immediate need to protect and propagate this strict endemic and critically endangered species is emphasized and its methods of artificial regeneration are elaborated. Finally, Threatened Species Recovery Plan (TSRP) has been suggested to protect, promote and conserve the species using in-situ and ex-situ conservation methods.