A total of twenty-three (23) forest communities were delineated, of which Pindari and Lata-Tolma-Phagti areas represented 13 communities, each. Within these communities, 507 species (Trees 51; shrubs 79; herbs 377) of vascular plants have been recorded of which Pindari area represented 344 species (Trees 40; shrubs 64; herbs 240) and Lata-Tolma-Phagti area 360 species (Trees 24; shrubs 25; herbs 284).

·         More than 60% of the species recorded from both the areas were native to Indian Himalayan Region.

·         The communities Taxus baccata subsp. wallichiana-Rhododendron arboreum mixed, Abies pindrow, Prunus cornuta and Rhodendron arboreum in Pindari area and Picea smithiana-Pinus wallichiana mixed, Picea smithiana, Taxus baccata subsp. wallichiana-Abies pindrow mixed, Abies spectabilis and Betula utilis in Lata-Tolma-Phagti area had high percentage of native and endemic species.

·         Ulmus wallichiana, Hippophae salicifolia, Alnus nepalensis and Aesculus indica-Acer villosum-Quercus floribunda mixed communities in Pindari area and, Cupressus torulosa, Cedrus deodara and Acer caesium-Prunus cornuta mixed, communities in Lata-Tolma-Phagti area were located near human settlements and facing high human interference, therefore, had comparatively low percentage of native species and high percentage of non-native species.

·         Percent natives showed a significant positive correlation with altitude in Pindari (r=0.526 p<0.01 n=30) as well as Lata-Tolma-Phagti (r=0.399 p<0.05 n=40) areas. This is indicative of the fact that altitude is an important factor regulating non-native invasion.

·         Two hundred and twelve (212) species were of economic importance. These species were used as medicine (140 spp.), wild edible/food (75 spp.), fodder (67 spp.), fuel (54 spp.), agricultural tools (14 spp.), house building (8 spp.), religious (11 spp.) and various other purposes (16 spp.). Among the species, 42 species had multipurpose utility whereas 95 species had single utility. In Pindari area, the inhabitants had been using 153 species as medicine (96 spp.), wild edible/food (58 spp.), fodder (52 spp.), fuel (36 spp.), agricultural tools (11 spp.), house building (6 spp.), religious (8 spp.) and various other purposes (10 spp.). Amongst the species, 34 species had multipurpose utility whereas 70 species had single utility. In Lata-Tolma-Phagti area, 145 species have been used by the inhabitants as medicine (102 spp.), wild edible/food (49 spp.), fodder (38 spp.), fuel (36 spp.), agricultural tools (8 spp.), house building (6 spp.), religious (8 spp.) and various other purposes (9 spp.). Amongst the species, 30 species had multipurpose utility whereas 68 species had single utility.

·         In Pindari area, 31 species (24 trees and 7 shrubs) had been extracted for fuel and 19 species (13 trees and 6 shrubs) for fodder. In Lata-Tolma-Phagti area, 33 species (18 trees; 15 shrubs) had been extracted for fuel and 20 species (8 trees; 12 shrubs) for fodder.

·         In Pindari area, high preference of Quercus floribunda, Q. semecarpifolia, Aesculus indica, Rhododendron arboreum, Alnus nepalensis, Viburnum cotinifolium, Celtis australis, Lyonia villosa, Juglans regia and Carpinus viminea among the fuel species, and high preference of Acer caesium, Quercus semecarpifolia, Q. floribunda, Aesculus indica, Ulmus wallichiana, Goldfussia dahousiana, Pyrus lanata, Acer cappadocicum, Acer villosum and Alnus nepalensis as fodder  in Pindari area indicated the frequent use and high pressure in these species. Likewise in Lata-Tolma-Phagti area, high preference of Pinus wallichiana, Indigofera heterantha, Desmodium elegans, Salix denticulata, Cupressus torulosa, Cotoneaster acuminatus, Cedrus deodara, Abelia triflora, Populus ciliata and Deutzia compacta among the fuel species; and Desmodium elegans, Indigofera heterantha, Abelia triflora, Acer acuminatum, A. caesium, Populus ciliata and Salix denticulata among the fodder species indicated the frequent use and high pressure in these species. Though, the density distribution of these species indicates their availability in the area, but continuous exploitation of these species may lead decrease in the population to a great extent.

·         A total of 82 species (8 trees; 11 shrubs; 63 herbs) had been identified as threatened from Pindari and Lata-Tolma-Phagti areas, of which 61 species (7 trees; 8 shrubs; 47 herbs), were recorded from Pindari area and 49 species (4 trees; 6 shrubs; 39 herbs) were recorded from Lata-Tolma-Phagti area. Of the total species, 32 species were recorded from Pindari area only, 20 species from Lata-Tolma-Phagti area only whereas 30 species were common for both the areas.

·         Among the threatened species, 21 species had been represented in one site only, 19 species in two sites whereas 42 species had been represented in 3 or >3 sites. Further, 22 species were recorded in 3 or >3 habitats whereas remaining species were recorded in 1 or 2 habitats, only.

·         Due to overexploitation and habitat degradation, Cypripedium elegans and C. himalaicum (Rare); and Acer caesium, Dioscorea deltoidea and Nardostachys grandiflora (Vulnerable) had been recorded in the Red Data Book of Indian Plants. Using current IUCN criteria these species along with others had been also categorized as Critically Rare (8 spp.); Endangered (5 spp.); and Vulnerable (7 spp.). Similarly, other species facing habitat degradation and over exploitation may be considered under vulnerable category whereas species presently not facing such problems may be considered under Low Risk Near Threatened category.  

·         Thirty two species were severely affected by habitat degradation and overexploitation, and 13 species were suffering from overexploitation. Overexploitation of underground parts i.e., roots/rhizomes/tubers/bulbs of Aconitum balfourii, Angelica glauca, Bergenia ligulata, B. stracheyi, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Curculigo orchioides, Dioscorea deltoidea, Hedychium spicatum, Heracleum candicans, Malaxis acuminata, M. cylindrostachys, Paris polyphylla, Pleurospermum angelicoides, Podophyllum hexandrum, Polygonatum verticillatum, Rheum australe, etc., indicated their early extinction from their natural habitats. Hence, conservation of such species merit priority attention.

·         Occurrence of 21 species in only one site and 19 species in two sites again indicated the early extinction of these species if the over exploitation and habitat degradation continue to operate. Similarly, occurrence of 41 species, only in one habitat and 19 species in two habitats indicated their habitat restriction in the area. Such species had less chances of proliferation than the species with wide range of habitats.

·         Promotion of mass scale propagation through conventional and in vitro methods of such species and their rehabilitation in the in situ conditions or akin habitats may help in conservation and management. To develop an appropriate strategy for the conservation and management of all these rare-endangered species, population assessment using standard ecological methods, is required. Further, population biology of all these species needs to be studied using standard format.

·         In view of the importance of biodiversity, conservation and management of habitats/communities/ecosystems supporting useful, native, endemic and rare-endangered species have been suggested. Mass scale propagation of priority species of fuel, fodder, medicinal and wild edible plants in the nursery and in vitro conditions (i.e., tissue culture) and their subsequent transplantation in the natural habitats should be encouraged. Participation of the inhabitants in cultivation of high value plants has been suggested in buffer zone of the Reserve. Appropriate techniques for the utilization of the species need to be demonstrated.