Shujaul Mulk Khan

Medicinal flora and ethnoecological knowledge in the Naran Valley, Western Himalaya, Pakistan.

BackgroundMountain ecosystems all over the world support a high biological diversity and provide home and services to some 12% of the global human population, who use their traditional ecological knowledge to utilise local natural resources. The Himalayas are the worlds youngest, highest and largest mountain range and support a high plant biodiversity. In this remote mountainous region of the Himalaya, people depend upon local plant resources to supply a range of goods and services, including grazing for livestock and medicinal supplies for themselves. Due to their remote location, harsh climate, rough terrain and topography, many areas within this region still remain poorly known for its floristic diversity, plant species distribution and vegetation ecosystem service.MethodsThe Naran valley in the north-western Pakistan is among such valleys and occupies a distinctive geographical location on the edge of the Western Himalaya range, close to the Hindu Kush range to the west and the Karakorum Mountains to the north. It is also located on climatic and geological divides, which further add to its botanical interest. In the present project 120 informants were interviewed at 12 main localities along the 60 km long valley. This paper focuses on assessment of medicinal plant species valued by local communities using their traditional knowledge.ResultsResults revealed that 101 species belonging to 52 families (51.5% of the total plants) were used for 97 prominent therapeutic purposes. The largest number of ailments cured with medicinal plants were associated with the digestive system (32.76% responses) followed by those associated with the respiratory and urinary systems (13.72% and 9.13% respectively). The ailments associated with the blood circulatory and reproductive systems and the skin were 7.37%, 7.04% and 7.03%, respectively. The results also indicate that whole plants were used in 54% of recipes followed by rhizomes (21%), fruits (9.5%) and roots (5.5%).ConclusionOur findings demonstrate the range of ecosystem services that are provided by the vegetation and assess how utilisation of plants will impact on future resource sustainability. The study not only contributes to an improved understanding of traditional ethno-ecological knowledge amongst the peoples of the Western Himalaya but also identifies priorities at species and habitat level for local and regional plant conservation strategies.

Botanical ethnoveterinary therapies in three districts of the Lesser Himalayas of Pakistan.

BackgroundEthnoveterinary knowledge is highly significant for persistence of traditional community-based approaches to veterinary care. This is of particular importance in the context of developing and emerging countries, where animal health (that of livestock, especially) is crucial to local economies and food security. The current survey documents the traditional veterinary uses of medicinal plants in the Lesser Himalayas-Pakistan.MethodsData were collected through interviews, focus groups, participant observation, and by administering questionnaires. A total of 105 informants aged between 20–75 years old who were familiar with livestock health issues (i.e. farmers, shepherds, housewives and herbalists) participated in the study.ResultsA total of 89 botanical taxa, belonging to 46 families, were reported to have ethnoveterinary applications. The most quoted families were Poaceae (6 taxa), Fabaceae (6), Asteraceae (5), and Polygonaceae (5). Adhatoda vasica was the most cited species (43%), followed by Trachyspermum ammi (37%), and Zanthoxylum armatum var. armatum (36%). About 126 medications were recorded against more than 50 veterinary conditions grouped into seven categories. The highest cultural index values were recorded for Trachyspermum ammi, Curcuma longa, Melia azedarach, Zanthoxylum armatum var. armatum and Adhatoda vasica. The highest informant consensus factor was found for pathologies related to respiratory and reproductive disorders. Comparison with the local plant-based remedies used in human folk medicine revealed that many of remedies were used in similar ways in local human phytotherapy. Comparison with other field surveys conducted in surrounding areas demonstrated that approximately one-half of the recorded plants uses are novel to the ethnoveterinary literature of the Himalayas.ConclusionThe current survey shows a remarkable resilience of ethnoveterinary botanical knowledge in the study area. Most of the species reported for ethnoveterinary applications are wild and under threat. Thus, not only is it imperative to conserve traditional local knowledge of folk veterinary therapies for bio-cultural conservation motives, but also to assist with in-situ and ex-situ environmental conservation initiatives, which are urgently needed. Future studies that focus on the validation of efficacy of these ethnoveterinary remedies can help to substantiate emic concepts regarding the management of animal health care and for rural development programs.

Species Diversity, Community Structure, and Distribution Patterns in Western Himalayan Alpine Pastures of Kashmir, Pakistan

Abstract Western Himalayan alpine pastures are among the most diverse ecological locations on the globe. Four alpine pastures were investigated to study species distribution patterns, richness, similarity, and community structure in Bagh District, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. Four communities, Poa–Primula–Sibbaldia, Primula–Caltha–Primula, Poa alpina–Poa pratensis–Scirpus, and Sibbaldia–Poa–Scirpus, were identified on the basis of an importance value index. The average value of species richness was 1.42; Simpsons and Shannon–Wieners diversity values were 3.13 and 0.91, respectively; the degree of maturity index was 44.1; and species evenness was 0.901. Local alpine flora was dominated by a hemicriptophytic life form with microphyllous leaf spectra. The species–environment correlation was analyzed using canonical correspondence analysis. A negative correlation of both diversity and richness was revealed with altitudinal gradient. Anthropogenic disturbances showed a significant negative impact on distribution of medicinal and palatable species. Unpalatable species dominated the local flora, indicating the heavy grazing pressure in the area. Development and implementation of regional conservation strategies are recommended to protect the threatened Himalayan alpine biodiversity.

Ethnobotanical Study of Upper Siran

The Siran Valley, District Mansehra, Pakistan, a part of the internationally recognized Western Himalayan Province, contains more than 143 plant species directly used by local communities. Of these plants, 89 have a therapeutic use. This report details the common uses of 29 species and the conservation status of 22 species, concluding that the Panjul Forests need special care for the rehabilitation of flora and fauna and the recovery of the Western Tragophan region. Effective management can be expected to improve deteriorated conditions of the ecosystem, including plants and large mammals, and protect the diversity of medicinal plants in the Siran Valley.

Investigation of traditional medicinal floral knowledge of Sarban Hills, Abbottabad, KP, Pakistan

ETHNO PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Ethno medicinal traditional knowledge regarding the uses of indigenous medicinal plants for treating various human infectious diseases is totally in hold of the elder community members. The young generation is not much aware about such vital traditional medicinal practices. AIM OF STUDY To document, accumulate and widely disseminate the massive indigenous knowledge of centurys practiced therapeutic uses of medicinal plants by the local people living in this area. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 134 local inhabitants (78 male and 56 female) were interviewed through questionnaire method. The data obtained were quantitatively analyzed through the use value, fidelity level index and relative frequency citation. Plants specimen were preserved and mounted on herbarium sheets and labeled, cataloged and deposited with voucher numbers in Hazara University Herbarium, Mansehra, Pakistan (HUP). RESULTS 74 plant species belonging to 70 genera and 42 families were documented in the current study. These medicinal plant species are used commonly as an ethno medicine against 56 various diseases such as digestive disorder, cough, pain and skin diseases etc. Herbaceous plant species were the dominant among plants studied which were 57% of the total plants, followed by shrubs (23%) and trees (20%). Asteraceae was the leading family among collected medicinal plant species (10.81%). Maximum medicinal plant species were used for treatment of digestive disorders (9.09%) and cough (7.44%). Most widely part used is leaf (27.9%), followed by fruit (13.5%) and seed (13.5%) for the treatment of different ailments by the traditional healers. The medicinal plant species with greater use values were Berberis lycium (0.91) and Cannabis sativa (0.81). The medicinal plant species with maximum fidelity level were Ziziphus jujuba (100%) and Lonicera caprifolium (92.31%) whereas the medicinal with most relative frequency citation were B. lycium (0.313), Ziziphus nummularia (0.276). The comparative result reveals that 36% of medicinal plant species were reported for the first time from Abbottabad regarding their uses, whereas 26% of plant species were reported with different medicinal uses. Brugmansia suaveolens and Allium griffithianum were recorded for the first time from Pakistan as well as from other countries across the globe for currently reported medicinal uses. CONCLUSION The current study revealed the importance to document and launch list of all possible plants that are used in ethno medicinal practices in the study area. Future antimicrobial, antivirals, and pharmacological studies are required to ratify the efficacy and safety of the medicinal plants species.

Contributions to the phytotherapies of digestive disorders: Traditional knowledge and cultural drivers of Manoor Valley, Northern Pakistan

ETHNO PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Ethno medicinal traditional knowledge regarding the uses of indigenous medicinal plants used for various human digestive disorders are mostly known to the elder community members. As the young generation is not much aware about such vital traditional medicinal practice because they rely on elders. AIM OF STUDY To document, accumulate and widely disseminate the massive indigenous knowledge of centurys practiced therapeutic uses of medicinal plants by the local people living in this remote area. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 63 local inhabitants (39 males and 24 females) were interviewed through a structured questionnaire. The data obtained were quantitatively analyzed through the use value (UVi), fidelity level index (FL%) and relative frequency citations (RFCs), consensus index (CI%) and informant consensus factor (FIC). For novel uses all the plants were checked with previously published articles on same disease by analyzing through Jaccard index (JI) and Sorensens similarity index (QS). Plants specimen were preserved, mounted and labeled on the herbarium sheets, cataloged and deposited with voucher numbers in Hazara University Herbarium, Mansehra, Pakistan (HUP). RESULTS 44 plant species belonging to 44 genera and 28 families were documented in the current study. These medicinal plant species were used commonly as an ethno medicine against 26 various digestive disorders out of which most frequently occurred are; stomach ache, diarrhea, indigestion, constipation and inflammation etc. Herbaceous plant species were the dominant among plants studied which were 64% of the total plants, followed by trees (20%) and shrubs (16%). Lamiaceae was the leading family among collected medicinal plant species (13.6%). Maximum medicinal plant species were used for treatment of stomach ache (11.7%), diarrhea and indigestion (10.9% each). Most widely used parts were leaves (41% citations), fruit and whole plant (12% citations each) for medication of various digestive problems by the traditional drivers. Dominated medicinal plants with most use values were Ficus carica having (UVi=0.90) and Trifolium repens (UVi=0.84). Based on the RFC values, the most cited medicinal plant species by the traditional drivers were Ficus carica (0.43) and Berberis lycium (0.41), while most respondents percentage was noticed for same plant species calculated through consensus index (CI%=42.9% and 41.3%) respectively. The medicinal plant species with highest fidelity level was of Grewia optiva, Juglans regia and Sorbaria tomentosa each cited 100% for anthelmintic, easy digestion and Diarrhea respectively. Due to representation by only single medicinal plant taxa (Nt=1), the digestive diseases viz. cholera, colon cancer, emetic, internal injuries, kill microorganisms, Soothing, tumor and urine suppression had maximum FIC value. The analytical result reveals that 57% of medicinal plant species were reported for the first time regarding their uses. new medicinal uses of Anaphalis contorta, Caltha palustris, Pinus wallichiana, Plantago himalaica were recorded for the first time from Pakistan and Aralia cachemirica, Bupleurum longicaule, Pleurospermum stellatum, Potentilla argentea and Juglans regia across the globe for currently reported medicinal uses. Besides this, all the mentioned plant species were reported for the first time for digestive disorders from Manoor Valley as no single study up-till now has been conducted ethno medicinally. CONCLUSION The present study revealed the importance to document and launch list of all the possible plants that are used in traditional medicinal practices against digestive disorders in the unexplored study area and to show the important medicinal plants for future biological, phytochemical and pharmacological experimentation regarding digestive problems.

Weed species composition and distribution pattern in the maize crop under the influence of edaphic factors and farming practices: A case study from Mardan, Pakistan

Weeds are unwanted plant species growing in ordinary environment. In nature there are a total of 8000 weed species out of which 250 are important for agriculture world. The present study was carried out on weed species composition and distribution pattern with special reference to edaphic factor and farming practices in maize crop of District Mardan during the months of August and September, 2014. Quadrates methods were used to assess weed species distribution in relation to edaphic factor and farming practices. Phytosociological attributes such as frequency, relative frequency, density, relative density and Importance Values were measured by placing 9 quadrates (1 × 1 m2) randomly in each field. Initial results showed that the study area has 29 diverse weed species belonging to 27 genera and 15 families distributed in 585 quadrats. Presence and absence data sheet of 29 weed species and 65 fields were analyzed through PC-ORD version 5. Cluster and Two Way Cluster Analyses initiated four different weed communities with significant indicator species and with respect to underlying environmental variables using data attribute plots. Canonical Correspondence Analyses (CCA) of CANOCO software version 4.5 was used to assess the environmental gradients of weed species. It is concluded that among all the edaphic factors the strongest variables were higher concentration of potassium, organic matter and sandy nature of soil. CCA plots of both weed species and sampled fields based on questionnaire data concluded the farming practices such as application of fertilizers, irrigation and chemical spray were the main factors in determination of weed communities.

Ethnobotanical Study of Some Medicinal Plants of Tehsil Kabal, District Swat, KP, Pakistan

The present study was designed to explore the medicinal plants of Tehsil Kabal District Swat, KP, Pakistan. Successive field trips were arranged to gather the information from the local people of the area by means of semi structured individual interviews, open ended questionnaires, informal interviews, and group discussion. The study was conducted from Feb 2012 to June 2012. Total 45 medicinal plants were collected in this study belonging to 27 different families. Out of 45 plants 30 were herbs followed by 13 shrubs and only 2 were trees. Lamiaceae was largest family contributing 6 species. From the result it recorded that leaves are the frequently used plant part used in medical formulation. Excessive use for medicinal purposes, over grazing, deforestation is the main threats to these medicinal plants. From the result it is concluded that people awareness among the people of Kabal is very necessary. This is the first detail ethnomedicinal report of Kabal, District Swat, KP, Pakistan.

Ecological Assessment of Plant Communities and Associated Edaphic and Topographic Variables in the Peochar Valley of the Hindu Kush Mountains

This study quantified the effect of environmental variables on plant species composition in the Peochar Valley, located in the Hindu Raj mountains of the Hindu Kush. A mixture of quadrat and transect methods were used. Quadrat sizes were 10 × 10 m, 2 × 5 m, and 1 m2 for trees, shrubs, and herbs, respectively, determined using the minimal area method. Twenty-seven stations were established along 6 elevation transects on slopes with various aspects. Density, cover, and frequency were recorded for all species in each quadrat. Aspect, elevation, rock types, soil nature, and grazing pressure were also considered as edaphic and topographic variables. Preliminary results showed that the Peochar Valley hosts 120 species. Presence/absence data for these species were analyzed with cluster and 2-way cluster techniques to elaborate species composition in the study area; this resulted in 4 plant communities. Species abundance and environmental data matrices were developed to evaluate the ecological gradient of vegetation through canonical correspondence analysis. Of the environmental variables, elevation, aspect, grazing pressure, soil depth, and rock type showed a significant effect on species composition and diversity. We also identified the dominant and rare plant species in each plant community based on their low importance value indexes. Conservation measures are recommended for all flora of this valley and for rare species in particular.

Status of Natural Resources in the Uplands of the Swat Valley Pakistan

Swat, a physical unit of land drained by the Swat River, is a mountainous terrain of Hindu Raj mountains (eastern Hindu Kush) and comprises mostly of mountains, gorges, and valleys within the altitudes of 600 m in the south to more than 6000 m in the north, the highest peak Falaksair being 6261 m high. Swat covers an area of 8220 km2 of land, bounded from all the sides by the lofty Hindu Raj Mountains. The area is broadly divided into (1) monsoon prevailing towards south, exhibiting the general features of Sino-Japanese type of vegetation, and (2) monsoon-devoid Swat Kohistan towards north with the prevailing features of Irano-Turanian type of vegetation. The area has always been famous for its natural beauty, pleasing environment, and peaceful people; all these attractions have ranked the area as a summer resort of prime importance for invaders in the past and tourists nowadays. The area has given birth, or has flourished, to a number of ancient civilizations whose archeological remains, rock edicts, carvings, and petroglyps are available everywhere in the area. Though Swat is placed in the trans-Indus Hindu Kush mountain region, its lush green landscape, plentiful water, and widespread croplands has referred the area as Swat Himalaya by some authorities. Sociopolitical changes in the area during twentieth century have had a great influence on floristic landscape, farming system composition, cropping patterns, and socioeconomic conditions of the people of the area. Historical review shows that the area was densely forested and self-sufficient in its natural wealth and agricultural produce. Swat was exposed to the periodical redistribution system of natural resources for the preceding four centuries. The system was based on exploitation of natural resources; it did not operate sustainably and caused severe depletion of soil, biodiversity, and water, resulting in a severe fall of per capita income. Most of the mountains and the valley basin were turned barren due to the overexploitation of vegetation for fuel, timber, and fodder. Natural vegetation remained restricted only to the graveyards or in the inaccessible high mountainous forests. The situation of natural resources exploitation was terrible at the start of the twentieth century. Political changes in Swat during the first quarter of the twentieth century positively influenced the natural resources management in the area and thereby the farming system and the floristic landscape of the area. The newly established Swat State turned forests into the state property and imposed ban on the forest felling and hunting animals elsewhere, which turned the mountain terrain to green everywhere. A new land settlement system was introduced, which improved the soil management, water harvesting, and cropping pattern, resulting in improved livelihood of the people of the area. At the end of seventh decade when the Swat State was not in place and people were free to exploit forest resources freely, most of the regenerated forest was uprooted within a short span of two to three decades. The people were naturally forced to search alternate sources to cope with the unavoidable shortage of fuelwood, timber, and fodder. Hence, the farm forestry was introduced in the middle of eighth decade. Soon the farm forest spread rapidly in the valley, resulting in an increased forest area for satisfying the fuelwood and timber demands of the community’s, along with the annual income of billions of rupees from the fruits. In this chapter, we review Swat (the Swat River catchment area or Swat valley) with the help of available secondary information with respect to the people, land, water, and biological diversity in a logical order.