Abstract: Jhelum valley is a subtropical to moist temperate region lying in the District Muzaffarabad. The present communication describes 61 species belonging to 19 families which are the source of fodder. The plants together with their local names, period of availability and other details with pertinent comments are enumerated. Results of fodder plant investigation conducted in Jhelum Valley during 2005-2006 are presented.
INTRODUCTION
Jhelum valley is located between 34°-30 latitude and 77°-98 longitude. It is bounded in the south by Kaffer khan, In the North by Leepa valley, in the east of Qazi Nag and in the west by Domel. It has rugged topography comprising mainly steep slopes and gullies where limestone, shale and sandstone rocks are common. The climate is variable between lower and higher altitude. The valley has fairly large variety of elevation. Most of the precipitation is received in the form of snow during winter. The snowfall, which occurs in the winter, is the main source of water supply through the river Jhelum and its tributaries.
Khalid et al. (2006) reported Ethnobotany of medicinal plants of Morgah and Kotha Kalan areas of Potohar region of Pakistan. 68 plant species belonging to 39 families were found to be in utilization by local people of that area.
Rainer et al. (2006) studied plant use of the Maasai of Sekenani Valley, Maasai Mara, Kenya. In Sekenani, plants are used much less frequently for manufacturing tools and for veterinary purposes, than in more remote areas. The results of this study indicate that despite their relocation 100 years ago, the local population has an extensive knowledge of the plants in their surroundings and they ascribe uses to a large percentage of the plants found. 155 plant species were collected, identified and their Maa names and traditional uses recorded.
Ertug (2004) described wild edible plants of the Bodrum area (Mugla, Turkey). The information was collected over a two-and-a-half-year period from informants of various ages and background categories in Bodrum and the surrounding villages. Over 770 plant samples were collected and about 400 species identified. The information on each species is entered into a database. The highest percentage of useful plants was of natural or so-called wild edibles. A total of 179 species (143 natural and 36 cultivar and introduced) are recorded in the food and beverage category.
Muhammad Ejaz Ul Islam Dar (2003) carried out the Ethnobotanical exploration of Lawat and its allied areas District Muzaffarabad. His checklist consists of 52 species out of which 3 species are of 2 gymnospermic families while 49 species are of 35 angiospermic families.
Ashfaq et al. (2004) studied traditional and medicinal uses of some spice plants of Neelum valley District Muzaffarabad Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Sixteen plant species belonging to 12 families were dealt in the study.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study was conducted in some selected areas of Jhelum valley District Muzaffarabad Azad Jammu and Kashmir from March to September 2005. Plant specimens were collected and preserved for identification. Data on the fodder plants was also collected along with information from the local peoples. The voucher plant specimens were deposited in the Herbarium, Department of Botany University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Plant specimens were compared with the specimens at the, National Agricultural Research Council (NARC) Islamabad Pakistan.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Information about the plants, which were used by the animals were collected from the selected areas. The plants comprise of 61 species belonging to 19 angiospermic families (Table 1).
| Table 1: | Fodder plants of Jhelum valley District Muzaffarabad |
Grazing is the usual practice for Goats, Buffaloes and cows. These domestic animals fulfill the dairy requirements of the local people. Grasses are stored from September to November after rainy season. Grasses are cut by sickle (Dratee) after drying a small bundle commonly known as (Poola) is made and spread over ground. This dried grass is used for the fodder purposes during the severe winter season. Normally Trifolium alexandrum, Agrostis canina, Bracharia ramosa, Echinochloa crus-galli, Poa annua, Themeda anathera, Cynodon dactylon and Heteropogon contortus are given as fodder to the cattle.
Overgrazing and over-exploitation of plant resources have already led to a decline of the plant material available. Some plants are common in the selected areas i.e., Brachiaria eruciformis, Agrostis canina, Cynodon dactylon, Poa annua, Amaranthus viridis etc. while others are less common due to the factors explained above.