The Uttarakhand Forest Department inaugurated the first Palmetum of the state on September 26, 2021. It has been developed in Haldwani area of Nainital district.

Key facts:

=> This Palmetum is the biggest one in North India, comprising of 110 species of palms.

=> It has been established in an area of three acres.

=> It was developed in over three years under the CAMPA scheme at a cost of ?16 lakh.

=> It was inaugurated by Prof Lalit Tiwari, a professor of Botany from Kumaon University.

Aim of the Palmetum:

This Palmetum was inaugurated with the aim promoting conservation & research and creating awareness regarding the importance and ecological role of various palm species.

Palm species in Uttarakhand Palmetum:

Palmetum comprises of 4 critically endangered species of Palm, 2 endangered species, 2 vulnerable species and 6 near threatened species as per IUCN categorization. It also comprises of one threatened species, as per Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board. As per Indian Biodiversity Portal, one species is rare.

Palm Species of Uttarakhand:

In the Palmetum, one palm species is endemic to Uttarakhand. It is called Trachycarpus Takil (Takil Palm). It is the only Palm that can survive sub-zero temperature. This species has been declared as the threatened species by the Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board. Other endangered or threatened species in the Palmetum include Ponytail Palm, Bottle Palm, Redneck palm and Spindle Palm.