VOL. 11, NO. 6, JUNE 2016 ISSN 1990-6145 ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science ©2006-2016 Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN). All rights reserved. www.arpnjournals.com ETHNOMEDICINAL STUDIES OF PLANTS FROM SHANGLA DISTRICT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT SPECIES Ashraf Ali Tabani1, Shah Masaud Khan1, Abdul Majid2, Ijaz Hussain1, Muhammad Saeed1, Sher Aslam Khan1, Khalid Naveed1 and Sardar Ali1 1Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Haripur,Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan 2Department of Botany, Hazara University, Mansehra, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan E-Mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT District Shangla is located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, in the Himalayan mountain ranges and is unique for its diverse flora. A detailed survey was conducted during 2013-14 to explore economically important indigenous medicinal plants species of district Shangla. Study was designed with the purpose of providing baseline information on the use of plant species in local system through surveys and field visits. The economic potential of these species was investigated by surveying the four most popular markets Alpurai, Puran, Besham and Shahpur. A total number of 76 medicinal plant species were collected and identified from four different sites of District Shangla. Among these 76 plant species 12 plants were shrubs, 52 plants were herbs, 11 were trees and one was fungus. There were 44 different families, highest number of species (11) were belonging to Lamiaceae followed by to Asteraceae (6 species) and then Violaceae (5 species). Top ten economically most important species, identified in the area were Morchellaesculenta, Aconitum hetrophyllum, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Podophyllum emodi, Trillium govanianum, Viola canescens, Thymus linearis, Thalictrum foliosum and Geranium wallichianum. Keeping in view, the medicinal and market value, the plants can be used for commercial level cultivation in order to suffice the required amount and to conserve the natural resources. Keywords: Shangla, medicinal importance, economic importance. INTRODUCTION A vast heritage of indigenous knowledge is Shangla district is a mountainous valley which linked to underutilized species that hold great genetic exists between 72o-33 to 73o-01 east longitudes and 34o-31 diversity, (Padulosiet al., 1999). The local wild plant to 33o-08 North latitudes, in the Khyber- species are important natural resource to focus at and the Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The mountains of determination of underutilized economically important Shangla district are the western extremities of the Great species can be helpful in the protection and sustainable use Himalayan range with an average elevation of 2,000 to of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. This 3,000 meters asl. Total area of the district is 1,586 square study can also help the scientists and local community in kilometers. The important towns of the area are Alpuri, identifying the diverse germplasm related to medicinal (The district Head Quarter), Karora, Lilownai, Besham, plants. Shahpur, Aloch, Chakesar, Damorai and Olander. (Razzaqet al. 2013). MATERIALS AND METHODS Spin Ghar (4464m), TakhtGhar (4,332m), Exploration of economically important YakhGhar (4,179)m, DobandiGhar (4,063m), Koparsar indigenous medicinal plants species in district Shangla (3,278m) and Spinsar (3,181m) are the eminent mountain was undertaken during 2013 and 2014. The study was tops of the district. Soil is sandy loam to Clay soil in most divided into two parts as ethnobotanical survey of the of the areas. (Ibraret al. 2001). study area and determination of the economic potential of The extreme temperature in summer is 38oC local plant species. In the month of April 2013, a while in winter it goes down to -2 to -5oC. Precipitation is preliminary survey of District Shangla was taken in order more common during monsoon from July to Septemberin to collect baseline information after which systematic the form of rain and during December-February as snow surveys were conducted during availability season. (Shah et al2012). Selected species were prioritized on the basis of (a) utility Almost 70% of the world population use (b) natural habitats (c) the home preferred species (d) medicinal plants as medicine. Pakistan has also rich market and economic value (e) anthropogenic pressure treasure of plant resources distributed along a wide range amount on species, the selection was undertaken. of climatic conditions. More than 1,000 plants species are Four most popular markets (Alpurai, Puran, being reported to carry medicinal principles. Marginal Besham and Shahpur) were surveyed to find out the communities use them for medicinal purpose throughout economic value of the species. Local prices and the country besides their marketing (Shinwariet al., 2011). information regarding availability were gathered along Many high value species are significantly facing decline in with various medicinal and edible plants. their wild populations because of over exploitation. (Alamet al. 2011). 223 VOL. 11, NO. 6, JUNE 2016 ISSN 1990-6145 ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science ©2006-2016 Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN). All rights reserved. www.arpnjournals.com RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Shangla. Among these plants 76 plant species 12 plants were shrubs, 52 plants were herbs, 11 were trees and one Medicinal plant species was fungus. The sites from which these species were The total number of 76 medicinal species were collected are Alpurai, Shahpur, Besham and Puran collected and identified from four different sites of District (Figure-1). Figure-1. Map of study area highlighting market survey sites. The species collected from these sites were 1-400 PKR (Pakistani Rupee) per kilogram (kg) as Low belonging to 44 different families. Highest number of Value, Low-Medium from 401-800 PKR/ Kg, Medium- species were belonging to family Lamiaceae (11) followed High from 801-1200 PKR/ Kg and High value species by Asteraceae (6) and Violaceae (5) (Table- were >1200 PKR/ Kg. The study prices of the plant 1).Ethnomedicinal studies of plants enable us to bring species revealed that among total plant collected, 19 plants various useful results regarding the impact of their demand fall in the first price category range of 1-400 rupee per and planning for conservation and development for future kilogram (kg), 18 plants in the second category of 401 - uses. Similar reports of these plant diversity, uses and 800 rupee per kilogram (kg), 18 plants in the third dependences of the local people are also reported by category of 801 -1200 rupee per kilogram (kg) while 15 Ahmad et al., 2012 and Sheret al., 2013. They also plant species in the fourth category of price range >1200 reported the similar diversity and stressed on the rupee per kilogram (kg) (Table-2). conservation of medicinal plant species for their The documentations of the current study were sustainable use. now in district Shangla, where main trade center is Determination of the economic potential of the Mingora for various pharmaceutical plants, and various local plant species national trading centers of Pakistan as well as in abroad The studied plant species were classified into four they supply significant amount of plants.Highly different categories based on their price range per uncoordinated trade and assortment of pharmaceutical kilogram (kg-1) selling price at local market. Categories plants vary from area to area and species to species in were Low value, Low-Medium value, Medium-High value Shangla. The dealers from national markets send and High value species. Price ranges of plant species are representatives to local in Mingora for obtaining plants 224 VOL. 11, NO. 6, JUNE 2016 ISSN 1990-6145 ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science ©2006-2016 Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN). All rights reserved. www.arpnjournals.com and place of their demand. This message passed from local each species vary from year to year and also depend on to their agents, i.e. the native retailers of the valley. Small demand and supply. In Malakand division, the currency shopkeepers and collectors get information from these generated from buy and sell of the economic and agents. Species gathered by collectors for agents and local medicinal plants is about Rs. 20 millions (Sheret al., shopkeepers. Uneducated collectors do not negotiate with 2009). According to Choudharyet al., (2000) about 500 plant material prices and gather sizeable quantities but do families is implicated in medicinal plant collection in Swat not obtain reasonable profits. When that is ready, the and Shangla, They amass 5000 tons of medicinal plants dealers at Mingora gets the material from the agents. annually. The pharmaceutical plants pass through three or four hands in this way (Sheret al., 2009). The prices of Table-1. Botanical name, habit, habitat, part used, seasonal availability and local uses of the medicinal plant species. Part used S. No. Local name Botanical name Family name habit Local uses /Seasons Diuretic, Diaphoretic, 1 Banafshan Viola canescens Violaceae H/F W/Sp astringent, emollient Depurative, pyrosis, Sonchus 2 Shawdapai Asteraceae H/F L/Sp diuretic contusions, and Oleraceous burns Datura Sedative, a rheumatism, 3 Datora Solanaceae H/RdS S/Su stramonium Mill Gonorrhea, Sedative, For curing chronic 4 Shanai Pistaceaintegerrima Anacardiaceae T/F S/Sp wounds, jaundice Carminative, Antiseptic Mentha 5 Velanay Lamiaceae H/RdS L/Su stimulant, very