INDIGENOUS PLANT RESOURCES AND THEIR UTILIZATION PRACTICES IN VILLAGE POPULATIONS OF KASHMIR HIMALAYAS

Abstract

Indigenous knowledge systems are culturally valued and scientifically important. The indigenous knowledge of plant resources has deep roots in the lifestyle of locals in mountain populations of Kashmir Himalayas. Preference is given to herbal remedies because of having no alternative choices, poverty and trust in the effectiveness of folklore herbal remedies. Field expeditions were carried out in alpine pastures of district Bagh Azad Kashmir, focusing on ethnobotany, ethnomedicine and diversity of medicinal plants. A total of 71 herb species belonging to 22 plant families were collected from the area. The present study revealed that 45 herbs, up to about 70% of the plants collected from the study area had medicinal value. Asteraceae, Lamiaceae and Polygonaceae were the largest families having 10, 5 and 5 representatives respectively. Results revealed that most of the plant species had multiple uses in the treatment of diseases. Strengthening the use and conservation of indigenous knowledge of useful plants may benefit and improve the public health and living standard of local people.