Medicinal plants and their uses in selected temperate zones of Pakistani Hindukush-Himalaya

Abstract

Pakistan is bestowed with diversity of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), particularly medicinal plant resources, which are used by the marginal communities for domestic and commercial purposes. This study focused on the traditional uses of plant species with the objective to document non-timber forest flora and its characteristics, and to also assess the current state of knowledge associated with these medicinal plants. The results of field surveys and literature review of the temperate region showed the presence of 196 non-timber forest species belonging to 151 genera. Among them, 124 species are herbaceous,almost 78% plants are perennial and about 44% plants are adapted to the condition from partial shady to sunny. Medicinally important plants species are 152 (78%), in which majority of the plants (81 species) are used for curing intestinal diseases. Aged men and women knew more about medicinal plants. Bergenia ciliate, Morchella esculenta, Paeonia emodi, Valeriana jatamansi and Viola canescens are economically valuable species for themarginal communities. The overall marketing chain, from collection to the final consumer has resulted in 98% market prices losses to the medicinal plants collectors. Moreover, unsustainable collection practices and lack of marketing capacity has deteriorated the existence of certain medicinal plants. It was concluded from the present study that sturdy approaches of awareness and management of economically important medicinal plant resources would not only help the species to be conserved but will also help in improving livelihood opportunities. Key words: Non-timber forest products, conservation, rural livelihood, indigenous knowledge