Ethnoveterinary plant knowledge and traditional livestock healthcare practices in the Kangra District, Western Himalayas, India

Abstract

Background: Traditional knowledge plays an important role in the well-being of humans and livestock in the far-flung Himalayan regions. However, much of this knowledge remains undocumented and is at the risk of being vanished. The aim of the present study was to explore and document the traditional knowledge of ethnoveterinary practices in Kangra region of Himachal Pradesh, India.

Methods: Ethnoveterinary data were collected during field surveys conducted in 2021-2022 using a pre-structured questionnaire, direct interviews, and group discussions. A snowball sampling method was used to identify knowledgeable informants. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices, including use-value, fidelity level, and informant consensus factor, were used to assess the cultural importance and agreement on plant use for livestock ailments.

Results: During the present study, 79 local respondents were interviewed. A total of 71 plant species belonging to 40 families were documented for treating livestock ailments. Out of these, most plant species were herbs (27), followed by trees (25) and shrubs (13). Fabaceae was the most frequently reported family, represented by six plant species. Leaves were the most used plant part, and remedies were mainly prepared as juice, paste, decoction, infusion, extract, or administered directly. High ICF and FL values indicated strong community agreement on the use of specific plant species for particular ailments.

Conclusions: The study highlights the continued reliance of rural communities in the Kangra region on ethnoveterinary plant knowledge for livestock healthcare. Systematic documentation of this knowledge is essential for its preservation and for supporting biocultural conservation and sustainable livestock management practices.

Keywords: Livestock healthcare, ethnoveterinary, Fabaceae, Kangra, Western Himalayas.