PJB-2018-136
CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE PROSPECTIVE OF TRADITIONAL ETHNOBOTANICAL KNOWLEDGE IN KASHMIR HIMALAYAS, PAKISTAN
Tariq Habib
Abstract
Indigenous knowledge is documented throughout the world because of its dynamic importance in therapeutics and conservation. In Azad Kashmir, the traditional knowledge of useful and medicinal plants has roots in the remote past. The present study reviews the indigenous knowledge and use of plant resources of the Azad Kashmir, Himalayas along the altitudinal and longitudinal gradient. A total of 32 studies carried out between 1947 and 2016, focusing on ethnobotany and diversity of medicinal plants were consulted for the present analysis. To cross check and verify the data, field surveys of eight districts were conducted during 2015-2016 in order to document the indigenous knowledge from inhabitants. The present analysis found that an average of 26% of higher plants were ethnobotanical important, and 17% were used as ethno medicine in Azad Kashmir, Himalayas. Herbs were recoded as the leading growth form (65%) with remedial potential followed by trees (16%) and shrubs (14%). Compositae, Lamiaceae, Solanaceae, Apiaceae and Ranunculaceae were the prominent families used to cure different diseases. The richness and percentage of plants used as medicine steadily increased along altitudinal gradient. The preferences given to herbal remedies was due to having no alternative choices, poverty, trust in the local wisdom and efficacy of herbal remedies in high altitude areas. This showed that a huge amount of undocumented traditional ethnobotanical knowledge needs to be explored and documented. It was concluded that indigenous knowledge systems are culturally valued and scientifically important. Reinforcement of the wise use and conservation of indigenous knowledge of useful plants may improve the living standard of poor people.
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