Distribution: China, Bhutan, NE India, Myanmar, Nepal, Chowdhery HJ (2009). Orchid Diversity in North-Eastern northern Thailand States, Journal of Orchid Society of India, 23 (1-2): 17- HIMALAYAN SILVER (BETULA UTILIS D. DON): A MULTIPURPOSE AND 25. CRITICALLY ENDANGERED TREE SPECIES FOR BIOPROSPECTION Status: Locally rare. Christenhusz MJM, Byng JW (2016). The number of known K. Dasila1, S.S. Samant1* and A. Pandey2 Ecology: Small to medium sized, cool growing epiphyte on species in the world and its annual increase, moss covered trunks or branches of trees. Phytotaxa, 261(3): 201–217. 1G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development, Himachal Unit, Mohal–Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India Medicinal use: Pulps of the pseudobulbs are used in boils Deb DB (1983). The Flora of Tripura State. Today and 2G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development, Kosi-Katarmal, and pimples and other skin eruption. tomorrow's Printers and Publishers, New Delhi. Almora, Uttarakhand, India Exsiccatae: Tripura, North district, Jampui hill, Datta and eflora of India (2006). E flora of India- an online database of *Correspondence: [email protected] Baishnab, TUH- 1985; Dated 08-04-2017 Indian plants developed by the members of efloraofindia Google group. ABSTRACT CONCLUSION eflora of China (2009). 25: 300-319. www.eflora.org Betula utilis is a multipurpose, broad leaved deciduous tree and native of the Himalaya region. It is one of the dominant tree The genus Bulbophyllum is reported first time from Tripura. species of the Himalayan tree line. In some places, it is also found in association with , A. spectabilis, Prunus Hooker JD (1890). Flora of British India. L. Reeve and Co, Proper floristic study may reveal more species from Tripura. cornuta, Acer accuminatum, Sorbus foliolosa, Pinus wallichiana and campanulatum. The bark is the striking Ashford, Kent, 687– 864. There is urgent need for conservation of wild orchids as their feature of B. utilis due to its shining, reddish-white or white with white horizontal smooth lenticels. B. utilis is a basis of many habitat is changing and preferred host plants are decreasing Jain SK, Rao RR (1977). A Handbook of Field and biochemical compounds which possesses anti-cancerous, anti-HIV, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti- fertility activities. drastically. Herbarium Methods, Today and Tomorrow's Printers The tree species exerts a suppressive effect on the microbial communities of the rhizosphere. Many endophytic structures have and Publishers, New Delhi. been observed in the roots of B. utilis. Anthropogenic pressure such as over exploitation, deforestation, overgrazing and natural ACKNOWLEDGEMENT calamities such as erosion, snow drift, forest fire and landslides are the factors that affect the regeneration of B. utilis. The Misra S (2007). Orchids of India. A Glimpse. Bishen Singh Protected Area Network (PAN) has helped in the in-situ conservation of the species. In addition, development of conventional This study was funded by the DBT Twinning Project No. Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun, India. and in-vitro propagation protocols and establishment and maintenance of plantlets/seedlings of the species would help in ex- BCIL/NER-BPMC/2016. Authors are thankful to Mr. situ and in-situ conservation of the species. Mantosh Roy for helping during field survey. Rao AN (2007). Orchid flora of North East India, An up to date analysis. Bull., Arunachal For. Res., 23(1&2): Keywords: Himalayan silver birch, Betula utilis, Bioprospection, Rhizosphere, Anthropogenic pressure, Conservation. REFERENCES 6-38. Chowdhery HJ (1998). Orchid Flora of Arunachal Pradesh, INTRODUCTION its multipurpose use, it is considered as Critically Singh KP, Phukan S, Bujarbarua P (2001). Orchidaceae in Dehra Dun, India, 2 (1): 1-392. Endangered. Floristic Diversity and conservation strategies in india. Betula utilis D. Don (common name: Himalayan silver birch, Dehradun, India, 1735-1827. Hindi name: Bhojpatra; Family: ) is the broadleaved deciduous angiosperm and native to Himalayan region (Nadakarni 1976). The birch forest is referred as primary vegetation due to being in original and natural state. It consist of three layers; birch trees as the main component (Fig.1 a), scattered , singly or in small groups present in upper story layer (Fig. 1 b), and the under story may be formed by shrubs particularly evergreen Rhododendron species namely, Rhododendron campanulatum, R. lapidotum, R. anthopogon, etc (Fig.1 c). This species also forms treeline in the Himalaya due to its freezing tolerance (Zobel et al., 1997). The growth appearance of birch trees is unique due to its typical bent like growth caused by snow weight that forms Krummholz (Fig.1 d). The name B. utilis Fig. 1. Betula utilis population (a) Pure population (b) is indicative of its various uses of different parts mixed population with Abies pindrow (c) mixed population ranging from paper, textile, building construction to with Rhododendron campanulatum (d) vent like growth of medicinal value. However, due to excessive exploitation of Betula utilis due to snow pressure

115 ENVIS Centre on Himalayan Ecology ENVIS Bulletin Himalayan Ecology, Vol 25, 2017 116 Ecology, distribution and economic importance and Gram (-) human pathogenic bacteria (Pal et al., 2015). Birch roots are also getting attention in our ongoing studies nutrient recycling, environmental detoxifiers like The betulinic acid which is easily converted form of betulin with respect to the colonization of a range of endophytes, biodegradation and bioremediation (Bhardwaj et al., 2012). Himalayan birch is distributed in sub-alpine zone of also possesses the antibacterial activity against some mainly bacterial and fungal (Fig. 2). Colonization of internal The plant associated endophytes carrying the traits for plant Himalayan range between 2700m to 4500m (Zobel et al., important human pathogenic bacteria like Escherichia coli, tissues of the plant (such as birch) by endophytic growth promotion and biocontrol are likely to be useful in 1997). It forms treeline all alongside the Indian Himalaya as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus microorganisms may benefit the host with respect to plant propagation and conservation of the precious trees that grow well as Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, Nepal and Pakistan mirabilis, Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Staphylococcus growth, control of various diseases and improvement in the under temperature stress (Pandey et al., 2014). (Shaw et al., 2014). It is a moderate- sized deciduous tree aureus and Streptococcus faecalis (Kumaraswamy et al., plant's ability to withstand the environmental stress. The that grows up to 20 m in height. Bark, the striking feature of 2008). Dried bark possess antifungal activity against fungi rhizosphere of long lived tree species experience the climatic Threats to Himalayan birch the tree, is smooth, shinning and reddish white consists of conditions, such as low temperatures and heavy rain and Aspergillus niger and A. flavus (Sareen et al., 2010), anti- Over exploitation for medicinal and fuel purposes, cutting of numerous paper like layers with broad horizontal roll. The snow fall, and are likely to go through various successions. cancerous activity (Mishra et al., 2016), anti-HIV activity trees, overgrazing by all kinds of animals are considered the are ovate-acuminate, elliptic and irregularly serrate. (Fujoka et al., 1994). Antimicrobial plants are now being Higher colonization of endophytes in plant tissues with major threats faced by Himalayan birch. Other threats to The flowering season is May–June. The flowers are recognized as alternate source of microbe based antibiotics increasing altitude has been reported recently (Jain et al., birch are forest fire, snow drift, lighting, erosion and monoecious; both sexes can be found on the same plant and that are well known for the development of drug resistance 2016). landslide. The demographic pressure, increase in demand of pollination is carried by wind. The seeds are winged. The and the side effects (Pandey et al., 2015). plants can grow in acidic, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils The rhizosphere microbial communities are affected by land for cultivation, livestock population and defoliation, and in semi shade and moist soil. Bark, leaves and of Fungal outgrowth on Himalayan birch many factors, like the quantity and quality of root exudates Canker disease, Dieback due to the slow death of the birch are used in various ways. The bark is sold at good price secreted by a particular plant species, in addition to branches caused by the attack of a pathogen are also the (150 Rs. / kg to 300 Rs. / kg) in the market. Bark of the tree The fungal outgrowth known as bhurja–granthi, observed in prevailing edaphic and climatic conditions. These factors, in reasons for decline in the size of population of this precious consisting of numerous paper like layers with broad the form of lumps and identified as chaga mushroom turn, will give a way to the colonization of the selected tree. The only way of prevention of these diseases is keeping horizontal roll used to be the substitute for paper in ancient (Inonotus obliquus), develops symbiotic relationship with microbial communities mainly in the form of endophytes. the tree healthy and wound free in absence of any chemical times, mainly, for the inscription of religious texts. birch trees. The symbiotic nature of chaga on birch is due to This aspect needs advance studies in view of understanding control. The above mentioned major and minor threats affect Nowadays, the paper like bark is used as packaging material its healing properties. The damaged part is recovered and the contributions of plant-microbe associations in the the regeneration of the Himalayan birch. Therefore, this healed if a damaged and splintered birch is filled with chaga. for making umbrella cover, pipes, bandage, cigarette paper, establishment of specific biodiversity under a set of biotic species has been categorized as Critically Endangered (Ved The fungus has been reported for its uses in traditional etc., and as textile in the manufacturing of Russian leather in and abiotic climatic conditions. Temperature is one of the et al., 2003). The high altitude protected areas network have medicine (Chauhan 1999; Faass 2012). It has been various religious ceremonies (Anonymous 1988). The wood most important factors that govern the limits of microbial helped in the conservation of Himalayan birch, but ex-situ consumed by ancient people of China, Korea, Japan, Siberia, is used as boards and beams for construction of buildings, populations under natural environment. The larger part of conservation of the species has not been attempted. Russia and Eastern Europe in daily beverages and bridges, rope bridges and fuel (Singh et al., 2000). microbial communities remains unseen and unexplored Therefore, there is a need to develop conventional and in therapeutic agents for its cancer curing properties (Faass reservoir of biodiversity on the earth. Microbes perform vitro propagation protocols, and establish and maintain the Pharmacological properties 2012). It has also been reported for antioxidant compounds numerous functions essential for the biosphere that include seedlings and plantlets in the in-situ and ex-situ conditions (Sun et al., 2008), stimulation of immune response such as within the distribution range of the species. The bark is also used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment activation of chemical messengers such as interleukins and of various diseases like healing of wounds, leprosy, skin tumor necrosis factor alpha (Won et al., 2011), prevention of CONCLUSION infections, bronchitis, convulsions, diseases of the blood and breakdown of cell walls (Nakajima et al., 2009). the ear (Chauhan 1999). Many biochemical compositions Himalayan birch is unique species of the high altitude. Due found in various parts of the tree are used for various Microbial dynamics in birch rhizosphere to its religious and high medicinal values, susceptibility pharmacological activities. The major biochemical towards the climatic condition, no control over the seedling compound is pentacyclic triterpene which are identified as Himalayan birch has been reported to exert a suppressive mortality due to fungal attack, lack of regeneration and no betulin, lupeol, acetyloheanolic acid, betulitc acid, effect on the microbial communities in the rhizosphere, clear categorization of the threatened species are the limiting lupenone, β-sitosterol, methyl betulonate and methyl mainly with respect to inhibition of bacteria and factors towards sustainable utilization of the species which betulate, while the minor compounds reported are oleanolic actinobacteria. This was calculated in terms of R:S can lead to species loss or extinction in near future. Proper acid, ursolic acid and betulinic aldehyde (Kumaraswamy et (Rhizosphere: Soil) ratios that did not vary much with survey and documentation will help in maintaining the al., 2008). change in the altitude. Even lower R:S ratios were obtained from the regions where the roots of B. utilis and growth and exploitation rate equal for the development of the Antimicrobial properties Rhododendron campanulatum were found to be entangled conservation and management strategies. Literature on (Pandey et al., 2007). A phosphate solubilizing and Fig. 2. Endophytes associations in Betula utilis plant-microbe associations with respect to this high altitude B. utilis is also a source of essential oil, which contains antagonistic (against pathogenic fungi) bacterium, (a) Intercellular mycelium (b) Intracellular mycelium tree is almost negligible and inclusion of studies on this geranic acid, seleneol, linalool, sesquiphellendrene, identified as Pseudomonas putida, has been reported from (c) Intracellular spores (d-f) Dark septate mycelium aspect should be a major concern in future studies. champacol and 1, 8-cineol, with strong antimicrobial Betula-Rhododendron association (Pandey et al., 2006). Bar = 5µm activity against the fungus Candida albicans and Gram (+)

117 ENVIS Centre on Himalayan Ecology ENVIS Bulletin Himalayan Ecology, Vol 25, 2017 118 Ecology, distribution and economic importance and Gram (-) human pathogenic bacteria (Pal et al., 2015). Birch roots are also getting attention in our ongoing studies nutrient recycling, environmental detoxifiers like The betulinic acid which is easily converted form of betulin with respect to the colonization of a range of endophytes, biodegradation and bioremediation (Bhardwaj et al., 2012). Himalayan birch is distributed in sub-alpine zone of also possesses the antibacterial activity against some mainly bacterial and fungal (Fig. 2). Colonization of internal The plant associated endophytes carrying the traits for plant Himalayan range between 2700m to 4500m (Zobel et al., important human pathogenic bacteria like Escherichia coli, tissues of the plant (such as birch) by endophytic growth promotion and biocontrol are likely to be useful in 1997). It forms treeline all alongside the Indian Himalaya as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus microorganisms may benefit the host with respect to plant propagation and conservation of the precious trees that grow well as Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, Nepal and Pakistan mirabilis, Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Staphylococcus growth, control of various diseases and improvement in the under temperature stress (Pandey et al., 2014). (Shaw et al., 2014). It is a moderate- sized deciduous tree aureus and Streptococcus faecalis (Kumaraswamy et al., plant's ability to withstand the environmental stress. The that grows up to 20 m in height. Bark, the striking feature of 2008). Dried bark possess antifungal activity against fungi rhizosphere of long lived tree species experience the climatic Threats to Himalayan birch the tree, is smooth, shinning and reddish white consists of conditions, such as low temperatures and heavy rain and Aspergillus niger and A. flavus (Sareen et al., 2010), anti- Over exploitation for medicinal and fuel purposes, cutting of numerous paper like layers with broad horizontal roll. The snow fall, and are likely to go through various successions. cancerous activity (Mishra et al., 2016), anti-HIV activity trees, overgrazing by all kinds of animals are considered the leaves are ovate-acuminate, elliptic and irregularly serrate. (Fujoka et al., 1994). Antimicrobial plants are now being Higher colonization of endophytes in plant tissues with major threats faced by Himalayan birch. Other threats to The flowering season is May–June. The flowers are recognized as alternate source of microbe based antibiotics increasing altitude has been reported recently (Jain et al., birch are forest fire, snow drift, lighting, erosion and monoecious; both sexes can be found on the same plant and that are well known for the development of drug resistance 2016). landslide. The demographic pressure, increase in demand of pollination is carried by wind. The seeds are winged. The and the side effects (Pandey et al., 2015). plants can grow in acidic, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils The rhizosphere microbial communities are affected by land for cultivation, livestock population and defoliation, and in semi shade and moist soil. Bark, leaves and wood of Fungal outgrowth on Himalayan birch many factors, like the quantity and quality of root exudates Canker disease, Dieback due to the slow death of the birch are used in various ways. The bark is sold at good price secreted by a particular plant species, in addition to branches caused by the attack of a pathogen are also the (150 Rs. / kg to 300 Rs. / kg) in the market. Bark of the tree The fungal outgrowth known as bhurja–granthi, observed in prevailing edaphic and climatic conditions. These factors, in reasons for decline in the size of population of this precious consisting of numerous paper like layers with broad the form of lumps and identified as chaga mushroom turn, will give a way to the colonization of the selected tree. The only way of prevention of these diseases is keeping horizontal roll used to be the substitute for paper in ancient (Inonotus obliquus), develops symbiotic relationship with microbial communities mainly in the form of endophytes. the tree healthy and wound free in absence of any chemical times, mainly, for the inscription of religious texts. birch trees. The symbiotic nature of chaga on birch is due to This aspect needs advance studies in view of understanding control. The above mentioned major and minor threats affect Nowadays, the paper like bark is used as packaging material its healing properties. The damaged part is recovered and the contributions of plant-microbe associations in the the regeneration of the Himalayan birch. Therefore, this healed if a damaged and splintered birch is filled with chaga. for making umbrella cover, pipes, bandage, cigarette paper, establishment of specific biodiversity under a set of biotic species has been categorized as Critically Endangered (Ved The fungus has been reported for its uses in traditional etc., and as textile in the manufacturing of Russian leather in and abiotic climatic conditions. Temperature is one of the et al., 2003). The high altitude protected areas network have medicine (Chauhan 1999; Faass 2012). It has been various religious ceremonies (Anonymous 1988). The wood most important factors that govern the limits of microbial helped in the conservation of Himalayan birch, but ex-situ consumed by ancient people of China, Korea, Japan, Siberia, is used as boards and beams for construction of buildings, populations under natural environment. The larger part of conservation of the species has not been attempted. Russia and Eastern Europe in daily beverages and bridges, rope bridges and fuel (Singh et al., 2000). microbial communities remains unseen and unexplored Therefore, there is a need to develop conventional and in therapeutic agents for its cancer curing properties (Faass reservoir of biodiversity on the earth. Microbes perform vitro propagation protocols, and establish and maintain the Pharmacological properties 2012). It has also been reported for antioxidant compounds numerous functions essential for the biosphere that include seedlings and plantlets in the in-situ and ex-situ conditions (Sun et al., 2008), stimulation of immune response such as within the distribution range of the species. The bark is also used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment activation of chemical messengers such as interleukins and of various diseases like healing of wounds, leprosy, skin tumor necrosis factor alpha (Won et al., 2011), prevention of CONCLUSION infections, bronchitis, convulsions, diseases of the blood and breakdown of cell walls (Nakajima et al., 2009). the ear (Chauhan 1999). Many biochemical compositions Himalayan birch is unique species of the high altitude. Due found in various parts of the tree are used for various Microbial dynamics in birch rhizosphere to its religious and high medicinal values, susceptibility pharmacological activities. The major biochemical towards the climatic condition, no control over the seedling compound is pentacyclic triterpene which are identified as Himalayan birch has been reported to exert a suppressive mortality due to fungal attack, lack of regeneration and no betulin, lupeol, acetyloheanolic acid, betulitc acid, effect on the microbial communities in the rhizosphere, clear categorization of the threatened species are the limiting lupenone, β-sitosterol, methyl betulonate and methyl mainly with respect to inhibition of bacteria and factors towards sustainable utilization of the species which betulate, while the minor compounds reported are oleanolic actinobacteria. This was calculated in terms of R:S can lead to species loss or extinction in near future. Proper acid, ursolic acid and betulinic aldehyde (Kumaraswamy et (Rhizosphere: Soil) ratios that did not vary much with survey and documentation will help in maintaining the al., 2008). change in the altitude. Even lower R:S ratios were obtained from the regions where the roots of B. utilis and growth and exploitation rate equal for the development of the Antimicrobial properties Rhododendron campanulatum were found to be entangled conservation and management strategies. Literature on (Pandey et al., 2007). A phosphate solubilizing and Fig. 2. Endophytes associations in Betula utilis plant-microbe associations with respect to this high altitude B. utilis is also a source of essential oil, which contains antagonistic (against pathogenic fungi) bacterium, (a) Intercellular mycelium (b) Intracellular mycelium tree is almost negligible and inclusion of studies on this geranic acid, seleneol, linalool, sesquiphellendrene, identified as Pseudomonas putida, has been reported from (c) Intracellular spores (d-f) Dark septate mycelium aspect should be a major concern in future studies. champacol and 1, 8-cineol, with strong antimicrobial Betula-Rhododendron association (Pandey et al., 2006). Bar = 5µm activity against the fungus Candida albicans and Gram (+)

117 ENVIS Centre on Himalayan Ecology ENVIS Bulletin Himalayan Ecology, Vol 25, 2017 118 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Pandey A, Agnihotri V (2015). Antimicrobials from Medicinal Plants: Research initiatives, Challenges and CHARACTERIZATION OF BACTERIAL DIVERSITY OF HOT SPRINGS OF Authors are thankful to the Director G. B. Pant National the Future prospects. In: Biotechnology of Bioactive CHAMOLI REGION OF GARHWAL HIMALAYA Institute of Himalayan Environment Sustainable Compounds: Sources and Applications in Food and Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, Uttarakhand for Pharmaceuticals. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 1(1): 123-150. P. Ranawat1 and S. Rawat2* encouragement and support. MoEF & CC and GBPNIHESD Pandey A, Palni LMS (2007). The rhizosphere effect in trees are acknowledged through National Mission on Himalayan of the Indian Central Himalaya with special reference to 1Department of Botany and Microbiology, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar, Uttarakhand studies (NMHS) Scheme. 2 altitude. Appl Eco Env Res, 5(1), 93-102. School of Life Sciences, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar Gujarat REFERENCES Pandey A, Sati P, Malviya MK, Singh S, Kumar S (2014). Use of endophytic bacterium (Pseudomonas sp., *Correspondence: [email protected] MTCC9476) in propagation and conservation of Ginkgo Anonymous (1988). The wealth of India: A Dictionary of biloba L. A living fossil. Curr Sci, 106 (8): 1066-67. Industrial Raw Materials & Industrial Products. Revised ABSTRACT Edition, CSIR, New Delhi. Pandey A, Trivedi P, Kumar B, Palni LMS (2006). In the present study, bacterial diversity of a high temperature (Soldhar) and a moderate temperature (Tapovan kund) hot spring Characterization of a phosphate solubilizing and Bhardwaj V, Garg N (2012). Importance of exploration of from Chamoli district, Uttarakhand was investigated as these sites are under anthropogenic interventions which therefore antagonistic strain of Pseudomonas putida (B0) isolated microbial biodiversity. ISCA J Biol Sci 1(3): 78-83. necessitate the conservation of gene pool of these microbial resources. The isolates were further explored for their functional from a sub-alpine location in the Indian Central potentiality to understand the role played by them in their niches. Bacillus was observed to be the dominant genus in both hot Chauhan NS (1999). Medicinal and aromatic plants of Himalaya. Curr Microbiol, 53 (2): 102-107. Himachal Pradesh. Indus Publishing Company, ISBN 81- springs. Other dominant genera were Aneurinibacillus spp., Brevibacillus spp., Deinococcus spp., Geobacillus spp., Sareen A, Ahirwar R, Gautam A, Bhadauria R (2010). 7387-098-5. Lysinibacillus spp., Paenibacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. The recovered isolates of Tapovan kund were observed to be Fungal contamination of some common medicinal plant Faass N (2012). The Healing Powers of Wild Chaga: An samples of Himachal Pradesh. Sci Cult, 76: 118-120. more diverse as compared to isolates of Soldhar but Soldhar isolates were more functionally active. 73% lipase producers and Interview with Cass Ingram, MD. J Health Heal 35(4): 6-11. Shaw K, Roy S, Wilson B (2014) Betula utilis. The IUCN 50% each amylase and protease producers were recovered from Soldhar while 71% lipase, 35% protease and 26% amylase Fujoka T, Kashiwada Y, Kilkushi RE, Consentino LM, Red List of Threatened species. Downloaded on 31 May producers were recovered from Tapovan kund. 13.6% isolates from Soldhar and 6.45% isolates from Tapovan kund were Ballas LM, Jiang JB, Janzen WP, Chen IS, Lee KH (1994). 2017. extremely active from functional view point as they were able to produce all the three investigated enzymes. Such isolates can Current Developments in the Discovery and Design of Singh SK, Rawat GS (2000). Flora of Great Himalayan be further exploited for various biotechnological applications in basic and applied biology. New Drug Candidates from Plant Natural Product. J Nat National Park, Himachal Pradesh. Bishen Singh Prod, 57: 243-249. Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun. Keywords: Hot springs, Thermophilic bacteria, Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas. Jain R, Pandey A (2016). Soil enzymes and microbial Sun JE, Ao ZH, Lu ZM, Xu HY, Zhang XM, Dou WF, Xu ZH endophytes as indicators of climate variation along an (2008). Antihyperglycemic and antilipidperoxidative altitudinal gradient with respect to wheat rhizosphere INTRODUCTION hot spring like those in Yellowstone National Park and deep effects of dry matter of culture broth of Inonotus obliquus under mountain ecosystem. Rhizosphere, 2: 75-84. in submerged culture on normal and alloxan-diabetes sea hydrothermal vents. Thermophiles are an important area Extreme environments harbor microorganisms that Kumaraswamy MV, Kavitha HU, Satish S (2008). mice. J Ethnopharmacol, 118(1): 7-13. of research because they are potent source of thermozymes, Antibacterial evaluation and phytochemical analysis of represent the oldest inhabitants on earth, and whose high Ved DK, Kinhal GA, Ravikumar K, Prabhakaran V, Ghate which show utmost stability under conditions of high Betula utilis D. Don against some human pathogenic adaptability has continued to challenge the understanding of U, Vijaya Shankar R, Indresha JH (2003). Conservation temperature. The enzymes need to fulfill numerous bacteria. Adv Biol Res. 2: 21-25. assessment and management prioritization for the biochemistry, biology and evolution (Tekere et al., 2015). requirements such as activity and stability, substrate Mishra T, Arya RK, Meena S, Joshi P, Pal M, Meena B, medicinal plants of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh The geothermal springs or hot springs represent one of the specificity and enantio-selectivity due to this the Upreti DK, Rana TS, Datta D (2016). Isolation, & Uttaranchal. Foundation for Revitalization of Local extreme environments and these are substantially higher in thermostable enzymes are often preferred for the desired characterization and anticancer potential of cytotoxic Health Traditions, Bangalore, India. temperature than the air temperature of the surrounding triterpenes from Betula utilis Bark. Plos one, 11(7): biotechnological applications (Khiyami et al., 2012). In Won DP, Lee JS, Kwon DS, Lee KE, Shin WC, Hong EK 159430. region. The hot springs can be found everywhere, different recent years, thermophilic proteases, lipases and polymer (2011). Immunostimulating activity by polysaccharides countries and areas, even some on the seafloor (Verma et al., Nadakarni, KM (1976). Betula utilis D. Don. Indian Mater isolated from fruiting body of Inonotus obliquus. Mol degrading enzymes such as cellulases, gelatinases and 2014). Geothermal waters are well known for their Med, 1(1): 198-1296. Cells 31(2), 165-173. amylases have found their way into various industrial biological wealth and explored for thermophilic Nakajima Y, Nishida H, Nakamura Y, Konishi T (2009). Zobel D, Singh SP (1997). Himalayan forests and ecological applications. The use of higher temperature in industrial microorganisms (Ranawat et al., 2017). Thermophiles are a Prevention of hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress generalizations. Bio Sci, 47: 735-745. processes reduces the risk of microbial contamination in PC12 cells by 3, 4-dihydroxybenzalacetone isolated group of extremophilic organisms that live in hot caused by mesophiles and simultaneously thermozymes are from Chaga (Inonotus obliquus (persoon) Pilat). Free environments and are a valuable genetic resource (Tekere et much more useful in the processing of lower viscosity fluids, Radic Biol Med, 47(8): 1154-1161. al., 2015). It has been speculated that the thermophiles were as at higher temperature viscosity is usually reduced, that Pal M, Mishra T, Kumar A, Baleshwar, Upreti D Rana T among the first living organisms on this planet, developing lowers shear consequently, the costs of pumping, filtration, (2015). Chemical Constituents and Antimicrobial and evolving during the primordial birthing days of the earth Potential of Essential Oil from Betula utilis growing in and centrifugation (Panda et al., 2013). when surface temperatures were quite hot and thus, have High Altitude of Himalaya (India). J Essent Oil Bear Pl, 18(5):1078–1082. been referred as “Universal ancestor'' (Doolittle 1999). According to Geological Survey of India (GSI), there Thermophiles are found in various region of the earth such as are nearly 400 hot springs in India amongst them various hot

119 ENVIS Centre on Himalayan Ecology ENVIS Bulletin Himalayan Ecology, Vol 25, 2017 120