Sechu Tuan Nalla WLS: a reservoir of wild Allium germplasm in the Western Himalaya

The current study explores the Allium diversity in Sechu Tuan Nala Wildlife Sanctuary, a high-altitude protected area located in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Through extensive field surveys conducted between 2016 and 2020, eight taxa of Allium, representing five subgenera, were documented from the sanctuary. In context of Allium species distribution in India, except A. victorialis, all other species are confined within the Western Himalayan region. This paper provides brief taxonomic descriptions of the species along with their phenological details, distributional data, vernacular names, identification keys, and notes on traditional uses. The study also highlights the need for conservation of species in the region, particularly in light of growing anthropogenic pressure.