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Pak. J. Bot., 44: 245-256, Special Issue May 2012.

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INTERRELATIONSHIP OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND BIODIVERSITY AND ITS IMPACT ON CONSERVATION

MUHAMMAD ISHTIAQ^*, MEHVISH MAQBOOL AND TANVEER HUSSAIN

Abstract: The concepts of culture, cultural diversity and indigenous knowledge are demonstrated in conjunction with biodiversity in Samahni zone of District Bhimber (AK), Pakistan. The interrelationship between cultural and biodiversity was elucidated based on linguistic and traditional customs of the area. It is demonstrated that there is imperative correlation between cultural and biodiversity, as mega-diversity countries harbor the rich cultural diversity. The cultural diversity of the area was found to be 8.66 and biological diversity was estimated to be 211, which generated IBCD of the area 109.83. Global studies revealed that there was significant role of different cultures of the world such as Buddhism culture in China, Sacred grove culture in India on conservation and protection of biodiversity. Similar findings of the study were obtained from Samahni area, where Gujar and Jat tribes implemented their traditional cultural customs not only to their daily life but also on conservation of biodiversity in their vicinity region. There has been determination of informant consensus factor (ICF), data matrix ranking (DMR) and priority ranking (PR) for vegetation and its effects on man. The important plants of the area and there ethnobotanical uses were also formulated and presented in it. Many are used as a sole source of medication by the tribes as they live in the remote area. It was proven that cultural diversity could promote the conservation and application of biodiversity. Fuel wood consumption was determined as prevalent threat to the flora of valley. The studies suggested that indigenous knowledge (Ethnobotanical informations) should be employed for biodiversity conservation and sustainable ecosystem propagation. The conservation scientists may establish close affinity with indigenous peoples and religious persons, and attract and encourage their active participation in different activities of biodiversity conservation. Finally the perspectives of taking conservation as a culture should be proposed and promoted and extended in practical lives of communities of the area.

Department of Botany, Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), Bhimber Campus, Bhimber, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan]

^*Corresponding author e-mail: drishtiaqajk@gmail.com