ETHNO-BOTANICAL STUDIES FROM NORTHERN PAKISTAN

Authors

  • Saadia Afzal
  • Naeema Afzal
  • Mohammad Rashid Awan
  • Taher Salim Khan
  • Aneel Gilani
  • Rizwana Khanum
  • Sumbal Tariq

Abstract

Background: In this research paper efforts have been made to document the ethno-botanical
knowledge of important plant species found in Northern Pakistan. It includes Thandiani, Galiat,
Kaghan, Swat, Buner, Dir, Chitral and Northern Areas of Pakistan. The area has many climatic and
vegetation zones or biomes. Locals residing in mountainous areas belonging to various ethnic groups
are traditionally utilizing plants over many generations; these ethnic groups have their distinct life
style, belief, traditions and cultural heritage. Methods: Plant collection and data regarding traditional
uses in various areas of Northern Pakistan has been done periodically in different flowering /fruiting
seasons. Locals of old age belonging to various ethnic groups were personally interviewed for
establishing uses of plants. Photography is done for easy identification and habitat recognition.
Collected plant specimens and seeds were preserved. Plant species were dried, mounted, identified and
authenticated. Result: 135 genera belonging from 66 families of angiosperms and gymnosperms were
studied and described.76 species were known to have traditional and ethno botanical uses. Plants have
been utilized for many generations. Ethnic groups have distinct life style and have different economic
uses for these plants. Due to unsustainable exploitation of natural habitats scarcity of drug plants has
occurred. As consequence some species are depleting and may become extinct in near future, e. g.
Morchella esculenta, Colchicum lueteum and Viola serpens are just a few of these. Conclusion:
Although some sporadic information is available about the flora of this region but very little
documented record of the ethno-botanically important plants has been established. It is expected that
this research paper will be beneficial for students, researchers, farmers, foresters and general public. On
the basis of data obtained it is concluded that ethno-botanical Flora of Northern Pakistan is quite rich
and is diverse, due to the difference in altitude, climate and other topographic conditions.
Keywords: Ethno botanical study, Northern Pakistan, Drug Plants

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Published

2009-03-01

How to Cite

Afzal, S., Afzal, N., Awan, M. R., Khan, T. S., Gilani, A., Khanum, R., & Tariq, S. (2009). ETHNO-BOTANICAL STUDIES FROM NORTHERN PAKISTAN. Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, 21(1), 52–57. Retrieved from https://jamc.ayubmed.edu.pk/index.php/jamc/article/view/3778

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 1 (2009): JOURNAL OF AYUB MEDICAL COLLEGE, ABBOTTABAD

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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