Ethnomedicinal uses of fauna in the Lesser Himalayan Region of Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Many wild animal species have been used in medicine worldwide since the origin of human beings, and these folklore medicinal uses are still present. Current survey research was planned to examine wildlife-based folklore medication used by the communities of the Lesser Himalayan region of Pakistan.

Methods: Field surveys were conducted from 2017 to 2020 at various sites in the Lesser Himalayan region of Pakistan. Data were collected through conversations with individual respondents and groups of native individuals.

Results: The ethnopharmacological applications of 48 species of wild animals were documented. Fat, meat, bones, brain, hair, musk gland, and whole body were utilized as body parts. Out of the total, 18 species were documented for the first time. The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) and russet sparrow (P. cinnamomeus) were reported as the most frequently utilized species for paralysis, with a frequency count (FC) of 21 from the study area. Among the documented wildlife taxa, the highest use values (UVs) of 1.0 were calculated for Laudakia agrorensis, Coturnix coturnix, Columba livia, C. hodgsonii, Upupa epops, Passer domesticus, and P. cinnamomeus from the Lesser Himalayan Region of Pakistan.

Conclusions: This study is the first to explore the medicinal benefits of wild animals in the study area. Furthermore, the use of 44 animal species has a zero similarity index; these species have no previous similar disease treatment. Our findings offer important baseline data that can be used to conserve and preserve animal biodiversity in the study area.

Keywords: Insects, Wildlife, Communities, Lesser Himalayan Region, Folklores