The authors produced this work in 1964 in the aftermath of the 1962 operations as a gift to the army. It was designed as an aid to training troops for survival when operating in small parties in otherwise remote, inaccessible areas.
The book was thus pitched at the level of those who may not have been initiated in the formal study of plant life and has, therefore, been structured to make it usable by them. The introduction explains in ordinary terms the various aspects of a plant that aid identification. Index to local names, English names relates comprehensively to the various local names and dialects by which the plants maybe known in the diverse areas in the Himalayas. Recognizing its usefulness, the army initially published it as a general staff training publication. Conditions have since then significantly changed and the army has now allowed it for wider usage.
The book will amply serve the purpose of mountain and jungle lovers, hikers, trekkers, explorers and holiday makers to take an informed and rewarding interest in environment and the bounties of nature that so amply endow such areas. |
