Ethnomedicinal and Economic uses of Gymnosperms by Gujjar Tribes of Outer Seraj Area, Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, Himalaya

Abstract

The ethno-botanical data of total nine Gymnosperms belonging to three families were collected from the local people of the Karsog area and outer Seraj region of Himachal Pradesh. A complete list of the plants is given with their name, family and ethno botanical use, distribution and occurrence. Indigenous knowledge of local inhabitants about the use of native plants were collected during field trips through questionnaire The inhabitants of the area have to use the medicinal plants for various purposes and have for a long time been dependent on surrounding plant resources for their food, shelter, fodder’s, health, care and other cultural purposes. Pinus roxburghii, P. wallichiana, Cedrus deodara, Abies pindrow and Taxus wallichiana are prominent gymnosperms of outer Seraj region which are not only source of timber but also utilized as fuel wood and for medicinal purposes.