Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol.12 (3), July 2013, pp 404-410 Ethnobotanical uses of Gymnosperms of Neelam valley and Muzaffarabad of Kashmir Muhammad Ishtiaq1*, Pazeer Iqbal2 & Tanveer Hussain1 1Department of Botany, Mirpur University of Science & Technology (MUST), Bhimber Campus, Bhimber Azad Kashmir, Pakistan; 2Department of Botany, University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Muzaffarbad, Pakistan E-mail: [email protected] Received 29.11.12; revised 01.04.13 Present Ethnobotanical study was carried out during summer 2008 in spatial and temporal areas of Neelum valley and Muzaffarabad of Kashmir. Research revealed Ethnobotanical data that twelve Gymnosperm species are being employed in different ethnomedicines, food, fodder, shelter and other domestic purposes. A total of 65 people of both gender (age: 45-80 yrs) were interviewed using qustioaniaree, direct participant observation and demonstration technique method. A comprehensive Ethnobotanical profile of the plants comprised of: botanic names, vernacular names, family, distribution, occurrence, economic benefits, ethnomedicinal uses, preparation and administration modes. All information was compared with previous literature concurrently eliminating irrational reports and culminating this knowledge into plausible and applicable format. The inhabitants of the area used the plants for multi-purpose and have for a long time been dependent on surrounding plant resources for life subsistence. Pinus roxburgii Sarg., P. wallichiana A. B. Jacks., Cedrus deodara [(Roxb. ex Lamb.)G.Don], Abies pindrow [(Royle. Ex D.Don) Royle] and Taxus wallichiana Zucc. are prominent gymnosperms of Neelum valley and Muzaffarabad which are not only source of timber but also utilized as fuel wood and for medicinal purposes. Due to biotic an abiotic pressure different threats to the flora have been highlighted and suggestions for conservation of Gymnosperm taxa are formulated for implementations by relevant departments. Keywords: Ethnobotany, Gymnosperm, Neelum valley, Pinus roxburrgii, Plant conservation, Kashmir IPC Int. Cl.8: A61K 36/00, A47G 19/26, A47J 39/02, A23K, E04H 9/04, A01F 25/10, E04H 1/12 Since the beginning of civilization, human being conservation1,5. The application of analytical has used plants for different aspects of life. Plants parameters has been incorporated in recent provide people with food, medicines, as well as ethnobotanical studies by different researchers which materials for construction and the manufacture of make the results more reliable and authentic6. crafts and tools and many other products like fuel, Geographically surveyed part of Kashmir is located paints and poisons. In some cultures, plants have a on 73–75°N and 32–35°E and it is a part of the great ritual character and/ or are used because their 7,8,9 1 Himalayas that branches-off from Nanga Parbat . hallucinogenic character . Nowadays, many drugs are Neelum is located at North of Muzaffarabad. It being discovered by extracting their chemical constitutes on crescent shaped valley and it called constituents for human benefit. The term Ethnobotany Neelum valley which has two divisions, viz. lower was coined by John Harshberger (1896) to delimit a 2 part of (part of district Muzaffarabad) which lies specific field of botany and described plant uses . within the lower Himalayan ranges while middle and Ethnobotany was defined as “the use of plants by 3,4 upper Neelum valley (part of district Neelum) exists aboriginal peoples of an area” . in inner Himalayas. The altitude of Neelum valley Ethnobotanical studies are generally based on varies from 600 m at the valley entrance to 6218 m at qualitative methods, but now quantitative parameters the highest Basil peak of Shounther valley8. Neelum are also incorporated in ethnobotanical study, with the valley is a mountainous area divided into two parts by results of benefiting neither local people nor the Neelum river that enters into the Jammu and —————— Kashmir from Tawbutt and flows down to *Corresponding author Muzaffarabad city to join river Jhelum. The area is ISHTIAQ et al.: ETHNOBOTANICAL USES OF GYMNOSPERMS OF NEELUM VALLEY & MUZAFFARABAD 405 generally characterized by rugged topography, V- community and questionnaire methodology were shaped valley, glacial out wash traces along nallahas. employed to find occurrence density and compile Neelum valley is 260 km long, running along the Ethnobotanical informations4,11. Before visiting the Neelum river. There are lateral valleys adjoining the communities prior informant consent (PIC) forms main valley, forming a spur-like surface. The were filled and then interviews were conducted on interlocking pattern of mountains presents a variety of due hours. The local participants from five different aspects9. The main potential area of medicinal plants villages (Shandoor, Lowat, Graiz, Ghamot and is Neelam valley which constitutes right and left Shounther) with 40 yrs and/or above age were mountain chain running parallel to river Neelum interviewed and both genders were equally (formerly called Kishen Ganga) (Fig. 1). weighted12. The interviewees were carried out in local The area represents mountain terrain of the high community, to investigate local people and glaciated peaks and moist temperate, dry temperate knowledgeable persons (old men, women and forests, sub-alpine, high-alpine pastures, high elevated herdsmen) who are the main user of medicinal plants. peaks and cold desert constitutes major portion of the Frequent field trips in four seasons of the year (2008) area which experience long severe winter starting were arranged in order to collect informations about from mid November to end of April and a very short the ethnomedicinal and other uses of Gymnosperm mild summer from mid-June to mid-August. The plants. Plant specimens were photographed, collected population of Neelum valley is entirely rural and and identified by comparing with herbarium mostly poverty stricken and under nourished due to specimens and through available taxonomic 13,14,15 remoteness of the area. The economy of the area is literature . Sample plants were collected, mostly forest-based and agro-pastoral type. Timber, preserved according to the standard methods proposed 16 plant products and livestock raising are practiced this by Olorode and placed in herbarium of Department mountainous area. Main ethnic groups in the valley of Botany, Mirpur University of Science & are Gujars, Syed, Kashmiris and Awan. Frequently Technology (MUST), Bhimber Campus, Bhimber spoken traditional dialects are Kashmiri, Hindko and Kashmir for future reference and exploratory Gujri languages1. The main purpose of the research research. Secondary data about these plant species, was to document the cultural and biological diversity their families, uses, origin, availability, botanical and of Neelam and Muzaffarabad areas. Second aim was vernacular names were entered into MS excel 17 to determine economic utilization of various worksheet and summarized as proposed by Cook . gymnosperm species. Thirdly to determine degrading The collected data was compared with previous parameters which impede Gymnosperm biodiversity research conducted on the same area or on same topic of the zone and then to formulate recommendations by using research papers, books, e-books and net. The for different researchers, other academicians, forest data after critical review and comparison were department officials and biodiversity conservationists screened and only verified and reliable informations for protection, propagation and conservation. were retained for further analysis and discussion. Materials and methods Enumerations Direct observation, participatory appraisal 1. Cupressus sempervirens L. ; Family: Cupressaceae technique, structured and semi-structured interview of Vernacular names: Cipress, Saro Distribution: Cultivated in plains and lower hills Medicinal and economic uses: Fruit is anthelmintic and astringent. Its pollens cause hayfever . The wood is used in carpentry and for furniture making. Plants are used ornamental tree. 2. Juniperus communis L. var. saxatilis Pallas; Family: Cupressaceae Vernacular names: Juniper, Sukpa Distribution: Musk Deer National Park, Guraiz Medicinal and economic uses: Its fruit is used as Fig. 1—Map of Neelam valley diuretic. Berries, wood and oil reported to be used in 406 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 12, NO. 3, JULY 2013 folk remedies for cancer, indurations, polyps, prescribed frequently for treatment of cold, sinusitis, swellings, tumors and warts. It is also used in hayfever and bronchial asthma. “Ma huang” has been alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage industry. The in use in China for more than 5000 yrs, for the fruit and oil are diuretic, carminative, stimulant, and is treatment of asthma. used in dropsy, gonorrhea, gleets, leucorrhoea and 7. Abies pindrow Royle. ; Family: Pinaceae some cutaneous diseases. Ash of the bark is applied in Vernacular names: Rewar, Fir certain skin affections. The berries are also Distribution: Graiz, Ghamot National Park and recommended in infantile tuberculosis and diabetes. Shounther 3. Juniperus excelsa M.B. ; Family: Cupressaceae Medicinal and economic uses: The root decoction is Vernacular names: Cedar, Padam considered effective in cough, phthisis and bronchitis. Distribution: Ghamot National Park and Shounther Fresh leaf juice is good for infants dentition ache. Medicinal and economic uses: The wood used in Leaf powder admixture with Justicia adhotoda is nice pencil making. Fruit