English

Shoaib Amjad

doi:10.5897/ajps2013.1104

Abstract

The aim of this study was to document the local uses of important plant species of Nikyal valley particularly medicinal, fodder, fuel, timber, fruit, vegetable, tanning, dying and furniture uses. A total of 111 species belonging form 51 families were found to have a variety of uses by the local people for the accomplishment of their basic needs. These species includes 9 tree 20 shrubs and 82 herbs. The major bulk of 52 plant species (35%) were used as fodder/forage. Fifty species (34%) has medicinal uses, 15 species (10%) were used as a fuel wood and 5 (3%) for timber. Eight species (5%) were used as vegetable or edible fruit, three species (2%) each were used for preparation of furniture and tanning or dying, only 2 species (1.5%) were used for resin and three species (1.5%) were used for the preparation of furniture. Pinus roxburghii, Punica granatum, Qurecus dlatata, Olea ferruginea, etc. have multiple uses such as fodder, timber wood, fuel wood and medicine. These plants are used in individual form or in combination with other species or other edible items. The study revealed that most of the plants are used for medicinal and fodder purposes. The major utility of this ecosystem is for pasture; therefore efforts should be directed to improve the area as a rangeland. Key words: Nikyal hills, ethnobotany, human plant interaction, conservation.

Highlights

Ethnobotany focuses on the uses of plants which is established by a particular community over generations
The present study reports on the ethnobotanical important resources from the Nikyal Valley, AJK, Pakistan and analyzes the indigenous traditional knowledge on the utilization of the most commonly used plants
A total of 111 plant species were recorded from Nikyal valley

Summary

Introduction

Ethnobotany focuses on the uses of plants which is established by a particular community over generations. It plays an important role in understanding the dynamic relationships between biological diversity and social and cultural systems (Husain et al, 2008; Mahmood et al, 2011a). People understand and collect the knowledge of valuable plants by the use of anthropological methods (Ajaib et al, 2010). Human interactions with plants vary due to their uses, relative importance and varying social, cultural and ethnic factors (Pahnwar and Abro, 2007). Human being and plant populations have direct interaction through culture, belief, dependence, economy and commerce (Dashora, 2006)

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