Evaluating the Conservation Value and Medicinal Potential of Wild Herbaceous Flora in the Sanghar Mountains of District Bhimber, AJK, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: The current research aimed to explore the conservation status, ethnobotanical and traditional ethnomedicinal uses of wild flora in the Sanghar mountains of District Bhimber, Pakistan, with a focus on discovering novelty and potential drugs.

Methods: This study was conducted in 2018-19 and involved interactions with indigenous communities, with informants ranging in age from 40 to 100 years. Open-ended and closed-ended interview protocols were employed to gather information. Conservation status was determined using a semi-structured questionnaire covering anthropology.

Results: Among the 248 plant species studied, 47 were trees, 42 were shrubs, and 159 were herbs, all of which were utilized in traditional ecological medicines and ethnobotany. Out of the 248 plant species, 120 (48.38%) were annual, 6 (2.44%) were biennial, and 122 (49.18%) were perennial plants. Poaceae and Asteraceae stood out as the most prevalent families in the region, with 33 and 14 plant species respectively. These plants served various purposes, with 30% utilized as fodder, 24% as fuel sources, and smaller percentages employed for ethnoveterinary medicines, home construction, cosmetics, and honeybee cultivation. The traditional applications of these plants encompassed the treatment of a wide range of ailments, including fever, cough, jaundice, skin diseases, diabetes, snake bites, and dental issues. Among the 248 plant species studied, 4.64% were dominant, 5.24% endangered, 43.54% vulnerable, 38.70% rarely distributed, and 6.85% infrequent, indicating the urgent need for focused conservation efforts.

Conclusion: The research underscores the potential for drug discovery within traditional ethnomedicinal practices, emphasizing the conservation of the flora from the study area.

Keywords: Ethnobotany, plant biodiversity, medicinal plants, botanical composition, drug discovery