Volume Documentation of Wetland Plant Diversity with Indigenous Uses in Nepal - a Case Study of Some Wetlands of Two Valleys (Kathmandu and Pokhara) English Ananda R. Joshi and Kunjani Joshi SchEMS, Pokhara University, Kathmandu, Nepal Department of Botany, Patan Campus, Tribhuvan University, Nepal Email: joshi_ananda @yahoo.com, [email protected] Download at: http://www.lyonia.org/downloadPDF.php?pdfID=.525.1 Documentation of Wetland Plant Diversity with Indigenous Uses in Nepal - a Case Study of Some Wetlands of Two Valleys (Kathmandu and Pokhara) The paper enumerates the traditional uses of 55 plant species belonging to 47 genera representing 36 families, which are used by the local communities of some wetlands of two valleys (Kathmandu and Pokhara) of Nepal for the treatment diseases and other uses. Some of useful species are under serious threat due to unsustainable activities and land-use changes. In the paper, some recommendations have been made to integrate conservation measures for the habitat preservation and documentation and sustainable managenet of the useful wetland plants with indigenous etheno-knowledge and practices before some of these are eliminated. Documentation of Wetland Plant Diversity with Indigenous Uses in Nepal - A Case Study of Some Wetlands of Two Valleys (Kathmandu and Pokhara) Ananda R. Joshi and Kunjani Joshi* SchEMS, Pokhara University, Kathmandu, Nepal *Department of Botany, Patan Campus, Tribhuvan University, Nepal Email: joshi_ananda @yahoo.com, [email protected] Abstract The paper enumerates the traditional uses of 55 plant species belonging to 47 genera representing 36 families, which are used by the local communities of some wetlands of two valleys (Kathmandu and Pokhara) of Nepal for the treatment diseases and other uses. Some of useful species are under serious threat due to unsustainable activities and land-use changes. In the paper, some recommendations have been made to integrate conservation measures for the habitat preservation and documentation and sustainable managenet of the useful wetland plants with indigenous etheno-knowledge and practices before some of these are eliminated. Key words: Wetlands, plant biodiversity, ethnobotany, conservation, sustainable management, Nepal Introduction Nepal’s position at the junction of the Indo-Malayan and Palaearctic biogeographic realms along with its diverse physiography and varying climatic zones has contributed to the occurrence of over 240 ecologically important wetland ecosystems with diverse flora and fauna (Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, 1995). Some of the major dominant wetland angiospermic plants are Hydrilla verticillata, Utricularia aurea, Vallisneria nataus, Ceratophyllum demursum, Azolla imbricate, Eichhornia crassipes, ipomea aquatica, Lemna minor, Trapa spp., Pistia stratiotes, Sagitaria guyanensis, Nelumbo nucifera, Nymphoides indica etc. Besides these, algae, aquatic fungi, bryophytes and pteridophytes are also major parts of the wetland ecosystem. This remarkable diversity has made Nepal a variable gene bank for a number of valuable species. The local communities are dependent on the wetland plant resources for their various basic needs. At present, wild and useful plants as well as their habitats are under serious threat due to habitat destruction, loss of ecosystem integrity, over-exploitation of resources, introduction of alien invasive species, unplanned land use and application of inappropriate technologies. The ethnobotanical knowledge and practices are also in danger of being lost in country. The loss of traditional knowledge in a culture that is undergoing a rapid change is as irreversible as the loss of plant species (Joshi and Joshi, 2005). Therefore effort should be made to document the useful plants and their ethnobotanical uses before much of this is eliminated. Documentation of the useful species and indigenous knowkedge and practices relating to the utilization of the species are very mearged (Shrestha, 1994; Joshi et al, 2001; Joshi, Shrestha and Joshi, 2003; IUCN, Nepal, 2004; Joshi and Joshi, 2005). During the ethnobotanical survey, an attempt has been made to collect ethnobotanical information with the documentation of the useful species from the wetlands of Kathmandu and Pokhara valleys. Lyonia, Volume #, Pages [ # - # ], Indigenous uses of plants of some wetlands of two valleys - a case study The wetlands of two valleys : Kathmandu Valley of the Central Development Region and Pokhara valley of the Eastern Development Region have been selected for the case study. Kathmandu Valley, a tectonic basin, is almost circular and bowl-shaped with the highest peak of Phulchoki on the southeast. The ecosystems of the area are diverse with alluvial plains, fans, river terraces, moderate to steeply sloping terrain and water bodies with complex geomorphology and diverse climatic conditions. The main vegetation types prevalent in the valley are Schima-Castanopsis on the valley floor and hill slopes, Pinus roxburghii on lower hill slopes and on the southern aspects, and oak (Quercus spp.) and rhododerndron (Rhododendron spp.) on the upper reaches of valley hills. Various forms of aquatic life are dominantly found in the rivers, ponds, lakes etc. The area is inhabited by different ethnic groups (brahmin, chhetri, newar, tamang, gurung, damai, kami etc.), with rich in traditional knowledge and practices. Pokhara Valley, a popular tourist distination, has moderately steep to very steep mountain terrain with many attractive lakes (Phewa, Begnas and Rupa lakes). The area surrounding the Pokhara valley consists of tropical to subtropical forests. The valley at its lower limit (especially 900 - 1700m) embraces natural belt of Shorea robusta mixed with Pinus spp., Schima wallichii, Castaropsis indica and patches of Alnus nepalensis. Among the aquatic species, species of Lemna, Echhorina, Hydrillla, Utriculatia, Ceratophyllum, Nymphaea, Nelumbo, Sagittaria are mainly distributed in the water bodies. The valley is inhabited by different ethnic tribes, which are rich in folk - lore. For the study of wetland plant wealth in and around the wetlands (ponds, lakes, rivers) survey tours were conducted during different seasons (2004- 2007) and ethnobotanical information and useful species were gathered during the field trips. Interviews and discussions were performed with local informants, that include traditional healers / -jkankri", teachers, fisherman, and experienced village elders (Joshi and Edington, 1990). During the field survey, a series of questions concerning the various uses of plants, parts of medicinal plants used for treatment, indigenous knowledge and people’s believes were explored and recorded. Plant materials were taxonomically identified with the help of related botanical references. Voucher herbariums and specimens have been deposited in SchEMS, Pokhara University, Kathmandu, Nepal. Results and Discussion The local communities of the both study areas have a long tradition of using the plant resources of wetlands for their various basic needs such as food, medicine, fodder, green manure, rawmaterials and other miscellaneous uses. The results of the field study are presented in Table 1, where species are listed alphabetically by genus-species and family and their local name, growth-form and uses. TABLE 1. Ethnobotanical uses of aquatic species and wetland dependent plants of two valleys (Kathmandu and Pokhara) (E= Emergent; FF= Free floating; FLR= Floating leaved rooted aquatics; S = submerged) Scientific Name/Family Local name Growth Uses Form Ageratum conyzoides L. Ganmane E -- Root and leaf are pounded and paste (Asteraceae) Ghans is applied on cuts and wounds for rapid healing. -- Plant is used as fodder. Ageratum Nilo E -- Plant decoction is drunk about three houstonianum Mill. Gandhe teaspoonsful three times a day to treat (Asteraceae) irregular mensuration. -- Fresh leaves are chewed to treat gastritis. -- Juice of fresh leaves is rubbed on the forehead to releave headach. Alternanthera sessilis Saranchi sag; E -- Tender parts are used as vegetable. -- (L.) DC. Bhirangijhar Root is pounded and infused in hot water (Amaranthaceae) and infusion is drunk to treat dysentery. -- Juice of the plant is also applied to cure scabies. Lyonia, Volume #, Pages [ # - # ], Amaranthus spinosus L. Kande lundo, E -- Tender parts are eaten as vegetable. -- (Amaranthaceae) Latte Cushed leaves are rubbed on affected parts to treat skin disease. -- Plant is used as fodder Amaranthus viridis L. Lunde sag, E -- Tender shoot is used as vegetable (Amaranthaceae) Latte sag Argemone maxicana L. Thakal E -- Root is used in skin diseases. -- (Papaveraceae) Pounded seeds mixed in oil is Applied in eczema and in itcing Artemisia indica Willd. Titepati E -- Juice of leaves is taken to treat cough (Asteraceae) and fever. -- Leaf paste is applied in the affected parts to treat skin diseases. -- Leaves have insecticidal properties and place in the mouth of grain bags to protect entrance of pests. Azolla imbricate (Roxb. Pani uneu FF -- Whole plant are used as green manure. ex Griff.) ) Nakai -- Food for fishes and ducks (Azollaceae) Cannabis sativa L. Gaanja, E -- Seeds are chewed and shallowed to (Cannabaceae) Bhang relieve pain and disorder of the stomach. — Crushed fresh leaves are rubbed on the affected area for treatment of skin infection, Centella asiatica (L.) Ghodtapre E -- Infusion of plant is used in leprosy. -- Urb. (Apiaceae) Leaf juice s given to cure sensation of internal heat and