ABSTRACT
An ethnobotanical exploration was carried out in Lawat ad its allied areas District Muzaffarabad. The checklist consisted of 52 species out of which 3 species are of 2 gymnospermic families while 49 species are of 35 angiospermic families. The plants were used medicinally and other purposes. The investigation indicated that the medicinal plants were used singly or used with mixtures by local inhabitants. The area under investigation due to unplanned exploitation had resulted in loss of medicinally important plant species. It was concluded that afforestation programme followed by proper protection is need of time.
PDF Abstract XML References Citation
How to cite this article
DOI: 10.3923/ajps.2003.680.682
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ajps.2003.680.682
Introduction
Lawat is situated in Neelum Valley District Muzaffarabad. It is confined to right bank of river Neelum as the cease-fire line between the Indian held Kashmir and Azad Kashmir comes frequently close to the left bank of river in this area. The average maximum and minimum temperature of the year is 20 and 00C respectively. November, December and January are the coldest months of the year while June and July are the hottest months.
Shahzad and Qureshi (2001) discussed common ethnomedicinal uses of plants in Jatlan area, District Mirpur. Shinwari (1996) reported the present status of ethnobotany in Pakistan. He emphasized on the need of investigation, documentation and application of traditional knowledge in the use of natural resources. Hamid et al. (1998) reported the medicinal plants of family Cannabaceae. They reported that in Pakistan, this family has 2 genera, each has single species which are of narcotic and sedative effects. Goodman and Ghafoor (1992) conducted ethnobotanical study in Balochistan province. It is the region where a heterogeneous cultural group known as Baloch lives. They collected information about 114 plant species used by nomads and village dwellers. Shinwari and Khan (1999) studied the ethnobotanical conservation status of Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad. They reported that people living around the Park used medicinal plants since ages. The people of the area also depend on surrounding plant resources for their food, shelter, fodder, health care and other cultural purposes.
For the area like Lawat no information about the plants used in medicine and other purposes by local inhabitants is available. The objective of the study was to explore the treasure and also to enlist and confirm the species that are used for different purposes, nationally trade important.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Plants were collected from Lawat and it allied areas of District Muzaffarabad, pressed in presser papers and were dried carefully. Data regarding to different ethnobotanical aspects were collected from local people of the area. The collected plants were identified with the help of literature (Nasir and Ali, 1970-1987). Further identification was done by comparing the collected plants with the collection in Herbarium, Department of Botany, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Information about the plants, which were useful, collected and documented as used by the local people. The plants comprise of 49 species of 35 angiospermic and 3 species of 2 gymnospermic families (Table 1). Medicinal plants are either used singly (mufrad) or in combination with some other plant or plant parts (murakkab).
Natural vegetation of medicinal plants was adversely affected by a number of factors, in the area explored. Vegetation of the area was intensely affected by heavy grazing and fall of trees. Unplanned exploitation had resulted in loss of such medicinally important plant species. Some species that were common in the past were rarely found now. It is concluded that local people, hakims and traders collect and use the plants, which are being eradicated and becoming rare. It is suggested that afforestation programme followed by proper protection is the need of time.
Table 1: | Ethnobotanical status of Plants of Lawat District Muzaffarabad |
REFERENCES
- Goodman, S.M. and A. Ghafoor, 1992. The ethnobotany of Southern Balochistan, Pakistan: With particular reference to medicinal plants. Fieldiana: Bot. New Series, 31: 1-84.
Direct Link