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CONSERVATION STATUS OF ANDROSACE RUSSELLII  Y. NASIR: A CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES IN  GILGIT DISTRICT, PAKISTAN

JAN ALAM^* AND S. I. ALI

Abstract: Androsace russellii Y. Nasir, a narrow endemic species, belongs to the family Primulaceae. It is exclusively endemic in Gilgit district, Pakistan. It was originally reported from Gharesa glacier, Gilgit district. A current six-year re-assessment (i.e., 2003-2008) reveals that this species has now restricted in two localities of Hunza (Gilgit) i.e., Ultar Nullah and Shatu Bar despite of previously mentioned locality. Eleven field surveys were made from 2003 to 2008 in connection with the study of its distribution, nature of habitat, population size and mode of reproduction in the natural habitat.  Based on population size (i.e. maximum 69 individual plants) and geographic range (i.e., 0.4 km² area of occupancy and 21.85 km² extent of occurrence), the conservation status of this species according to IUCN Red list Categories and Criteria should be regarded as critically endangered (CR). Remedial measures are also suggested.

Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan

*Corresponding author E-mail: janalamkuh@yahoo.com