GIS Mapping for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of Kedarnath Wild Life Sanctuary - Their Status Distribution and Conservation Issues D.P. Semwal Research Scientist Department of Environmental Biology, India Email: dinusem@rediffmail.com P.Pardha Saradhi Professor Department of Environmental Biology, University of Delhi, ABSTRACT Keeping this view in mind that 32 medicinal plants have been identified and prioritised at the national level by the National Medicinal Plants Board, Govt. of India. 25% of these endangered species are found in high altitude areas of Garhwal Himalayas. The present study area chosen for inventory, distribution, status and mapping of endangered medicinal plant species. While the demand for medicinal plants is increasing, their survival in their natural habitats, is under growing threat. This is due to rapid degradation and loss of natural habitats and over-harvesting of important medicinal plant species (Shankar and Ved, 2003). High diversity of threatened medicinal and aromatic plants (TMAPs) have been reported from different parts of the Himalayan region (Gaur et al 1983 and Samant et al 2001,). It is seriously felt that survey, inventory, documentation and mapping of endangered medicinal plants species using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technique will be urgently required for proper conservation of TMAPs species of the region. So far we have collected more than 350 plant species of different taxonomic group for further analysis. The present research work certainly will highlight all the conservation issues and fruitful application of GIS technology in the new emerging field of Science & Technology i. e. medicinal plant sector.