Abstract:
This study confined to the ethnobotanical exploration in District Mianwali and
surrounding areas based on plant resources with particular emphasis on documentation of
indigenous knowledge from local communities. The area is located adjacent to salt range and
arid region of Punjab Province, Pakistan with unique hills of Kala Bagh Estate, Musa khail and
Chashma Barrage. The study was carried out to assess the linkage among the people with the
ethnobotanical potential of the area. The people of the area have close relationship with
surrounding plant resources and have for a long time dependent on plant resources for their food,
health, shelter, fodder, fuel wood and other cultural purposes. In total 448 species were reported
to be used for various purposes as 150 species of medicinal value, 71 as ethnoveterinary, 40 fuel
wood, 16 timber, 66 fodder, 14 of agricultural implements, 45 vegetables / pots herbs, 31 bee
flora and 15 species were used as fruit yielding. It is stated from this study that the area has great
potential of plant resources with rich heritage of indigenous knowledge regarding the use of
these species. However during the surveys it was found that the area is under severe pressure of
habitat degradation, population pressure, extensive cutting of fuel wood, timber and non timber
forest products (NTFPs) species. The study concludes that there is the need of time to aware the
indigenous communities to protect and conserve their plant resources by educating each other for
sustainable development and utilization. The study strongly recommend to adopt practical
measures including in-situ and ex-situ conservation strategies by the Government, policy makers,
forest departments, wild life institutions by the involvement of local communities for future
generation.
