Biocultural dimensions of endangered medicinal flora: Community knowledge, gender roles, and governance in the Pakistani Himalayas

Authors

  • Rizwana Khanum Pakistan Museum of Natural History Islamabad
  • Ayesha Noor Department of Botany, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Amir Hussain Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH), Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Rasheed Hussain Director NTFP, KP Forest Department, Pakistan
  • Sardar Akrum Neelum-Karun Forest Department (AJK), Pakistan
  • Sidra Qayum Department of Botany, University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan
  • Rizwan Ahmed Kazmi Kaghan Forest Division, KP Forest Department, Pakistan
  • Sardar Farhad Lower Hazara, KP Forest Department, Pakistan
  • Shehryar Khan Hazara Tribal Office, Battagram, Pakistan
  • Muhammad Hanif Kaghan/Siran Forest Division, Pakistan
  • Syed Munir Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH), Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Sabih ul Hassan Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH), Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: The mountain communities of the Pakistani Himalayas possess rich ethnobotanical traditions centered around high-value medicinal plants such as Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D. Don, Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo, Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle, and Podophyllum hexandrum Royle. These species play vital roles in local health care, livelihoods, and cultural identity. Despite this significance, systematic documentation is limited, posing risks to both traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and biodiversity conservation.

Methods: From May 2024 to June 2025, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted across 24 mountain villages in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Neelum, Leepa, and Hattian) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Kaghan, Siran, and Galliat), at altitudes of 2,000–3,300 m. Using purposive and snowball sampling, A total of 120 respondents were engaged, including 98 household respondents and 22 key informants (10 forestry officers and 12 herbal traders) interviews were completed. Field observations and gender-segregated focus groups provided complementary insights into plant use, harvesting practices, and trade. Voucher specimens were authenticated at the Pakistan Museum of Natural History. Data were analyzed thematically for TEK, gender, and governance dynamics, alongside quantitative summaries of market dependence.

Results: Community governance structures revealed extensive reliance on TEK for species identification, collection timing, and sustainable use. However, weak institutional enforcement and rising market demand threaten traditional management systems.

Conclusions: Integrating indigenous knowledge and women’s participation into formal conservation and livelihood policies is essential for safeguarding both cultural resilience and Himalayan biodiversity.

Keywords: Ethnobotany; Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK); Trillium govanianum; Dactylorhiza hatagirea; Aconitum heterophyllum; Podophyllum hexandrum; Gender roles; Community governance; Biocultural conservation; Pakistani Himalayas

Author Biographies

Ayesha Noor, Department of Botany, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan

M.Phil/MS student 3rd semester@ Department of Botany, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Amir Hussain, Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH), Islamabad, Pakistan

Associate Curator, Botanical Sciences Division, Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH), Islamabad, Pakistan

Rasheed Hussain, Director NTFP, KP Forest Department, Pakistan

Director NTFP, KP Forest Department, Pakistan

Sardar Akrum, Neelum-Karun Forest Department (AJK), Pakistan

DFO, Neelum-Karun Forest Department (AJK), Pakistan

Sidra Qayum, Department of Botany, University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan

Assistant Prof.Department of Botany, University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan

Rizwan Ahmed Kazmi, Kaghan Forest Division, KP Forest Department, Pakistan

DFO, Kaghan Forest Division, KP Forest Department, Pakistan

Sardar Farhad , Lower Hazara, KP Forest Department, Pakistan

Conservator, Lower Hazara, KP Forest Department, Pakistan

Shehryar Khan, Hazara Tribal Office, Battagram, Pakistan

DFO, Hazara Tribal Office, Battagram, Pakistan

Muhammad Hanif, Kaghan/Siran Forest Division, Pakistan

Community Development Officer, Kaghan/Siran Forest Division, Pakistan

Syed Munir, Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH), Islamabad, Pakistan

Collection In-charge, PMNH, Islamabad, Pakistan

Sabih ul Hassan, Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH), Islamabad, Pakistan

Field Worker, PMNH, Islamabad, Pakistan

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Published

2026-02-18

How to Cite

Khanum, R., Noor, A., Hussain, A., Hussain, R. ., Akrum, S. ., Qayum, S. ., Ahmed Kazmi, R., Ali, S. F. ., Khan, S. ., Hanif, M. ., Munir, S. ., & ul Hassan, S. . (2026). Biocultural dimensions of endangered medicinal flora: Community knowledge, gender roles, and governance in the Pakistani Himalayas. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 33, 1–12. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/7726

Issue

Vol. 33 (2026)

Section

Research

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