Cross-ethnic use of ethnoveterinary medicine in the Kashmir Himalaya - A Northwestern Himalayan region

Abstract

Ethnoveterinary practices are an important part of Himalayan culture, and they have evolved as primary health care system for the treatment of different ailments in animals. The valley of Kashmir is home to a variety of ethnic groups [i.e., Gujjar, Bakarwal and Kashmiri], mostly occupied in agriculture and related services, having traditional knowledge to treat animal ailments by employing local flora. In the present study we documented the use of plant species used to treat animals, specific diseases treated with specific plant species, also we investigated the cross-cultural ethnoveterinary plant usage in the administrative district Kupwara of Kashmir valley. To gather the data we used simple random sampling; semi-structured and open-ended questionnaires followed by group discussions. The data were subjected to hierarchical cluster analysis and ordination techniques [Principal Component Analysis] using Past Software ver.3.14. A total of 41 plant species, belonging to 25 families were identified as used for the treatment of livestock by the three ethnic groups in Kashmir. The distribution of species across families was asymmetric, with 7 families accounting for half of the species and 18 families accounting for the other half, but with 14 families comprising a single species. Asteraceae had the most species [15%], followed by Ranunculaceae [7%. Roots were the most frequently used plant part [48%,] followed by whole plant and leaves [18% each]. Different preparation forms were enlisted during the present study, but powder [54%] was the dominant form followed by decoction [22%] and paste [12%]. The Cluster analyses indicated substantial clusters of ethnoveterinary illnesses. In terms of disease-specific plant use, nearly one-third of the total species pool was used to combat gastrointestinal issues, while the remaining two-thirds of the species clustered out and were dispersed among the remaining 18 disease types. A cross-cultural comparison of plant resources showed that 15% of all plants were overlapping between the three ethnic groups. Our current findings of documenting ethenoveterinary knowledge serves a variety of purposes, including preserving it for future generations, securing it by placing it in the public domain, using it as a springboard for further research and conservation efforts. The documented species needs to be investigated scientifically as it can provide possible chances for the discovery of future novel molecules with potent medicinal attributions.