STUDIES ON FLORAL BIODIVERSITY OF DISTRICT MIANWALI AND ALLIED AREAS WITH EMPHASIS ON ETHNOBOTANICAL USES

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.