Exploring conservation status and ethnoveterinary uses of medicinal plants in Upper-Haramosh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Authors

  • Shahab Ud Din Karakoram International University
  • Qamar Abbas
  • Pervaz Abbas
  • Farida Begum
  • Muneer Alam
  • Ali Noor
  • Hawas Khan
  • Muhammad Atif Raza
  • Muhammad Shakeel

Abstract

Background: Ethnoveterinary practices are declining, depleting valuable knowledge over time in the Haramosh region. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore and document indigenous knowledge regarding ethno-veterinary plants in Upper Haramosh and simultaneously assess their conservation status.

Methods: Direct interviews were conducted with shepherds, farmers, and senior citizens possessing traditional knowledge. Semi-structured questionnaires were also developed for collecting knowledge from inhabitants. The conservation status of the species was checked referring to IUCN red list data.

Results: The current study revealed ethno-veterinary uses for 25 plant species spanning 24 genera and 22 families. The Polygonaceae and Asteraceae families dominate, with three and two species, respectively. Seven common ailments were reported, with injuries having the highest plant frequency. The most common administration method was decoction, followed by powder, paste, and direct consumption. RFC values ranged from 0.3 - 0.9, with Berberis orthobotrys, Geranium pratense, Punica granatum, and Zea mays depicting the highest values. Use values ranged from 0.3 to 1, with the highest reported for B. orthobotrys, G. pratense, and Z. mays. Fidelity levels (%) for disease categories varied, with B. orthobotrys, G. pratense, Juniperus excelsa, Juglans regia, Saussurea Simpsoniana, Delphinium brunonianum, and P. granatum all demonstrating 100% fidelity for their reported disease types. Conservation status is Least Concern for all species except D. brunonianum, S. simpsoniana, and Ephedra gerardiana, which are classified as vulnerable according to IUCN Red List data.

Conclusions: The study underscores the area's potential for medicinal plants, emphasizing the need for phytochemical studies to further validate their efficacy. 

Keywords: Ethno-veterinary, Indigenous Knowledge, Conservation Status, Pets, Medicinal Plants

Author Biographies

Shahab Ud Din, Karakoram International University

Graduate student (BS), Faculty of Life Sciences, Karakoram International University Gilgit-Baltistan, main campus Gigit 15100, Pakistan

MS student, Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju-si, Gyeongsangbukdo 37224, Republic of Korea

Qamar Abbas

Associate Professor, Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Karakoram International University Gilgit-Baltistan, main campus Gigit 15100, Pakistan

Pervaz Abbas

BS student (8th semester), Department of Forestry, Wildlife and range Management, Faculty of Life Sciences, Karakoram International University Gilgit-Baltistan, main campus Gigit 15100, Pakistan

Farida Begum

Assistant Professor/Head of Department, Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Karakoram International University Gilgit-Baltistan, main campus Gigit 15100, Pakistan

Muneer Alam

Phd student, Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Karakoram International University Gilgit-Baltistan, main campus Gigit 15100, Pakistan

Ali Noor

Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Sciences, Karakoram International University Gilgit-Baltistan, 15100 Gigit, Pakistan

Hawas Khan

Assistant Professor/Head of Department, Department of Earth Sciences, Karakoram International University Gilgit-Baltistan, 15100 Gigit, Pakistan

Muhammad Atif Raza

Phd student, Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Research Center for Horse Industry, Kyungpook National University, Sangju-si, Gyeongsangbukdo 37224, Republic of Korea

Muhammad Shakeel

Lecturer, Department of clinical studies, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 44000, Pakistan

Phd student, Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Research Center for Horse Industry, Kyungpook National University, Sangju-si, Gyeongsangbukdo 37224, Republic of Korea

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Published

2024-06-20

How to Cite

Ud Din, S., Abbas, Q. ., Abbas, P., Begum, F. ., Alam, M. ., Noor, A. ., Khan, H. ., Raza, M. A. ., & Shakeel, M. . (2024). Exploring conservation status and ethnoveterinary uses of medicinal plants in Upper-Haramosh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 29, 1–14. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/5840

Issue

Vol. 29 (2024)

Section

Research

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