Studies on Collection and Marketing of Morchella (Morels) of Utror-Gabral Valleys, District Swat, Pakistan

This paper is based on a research project carried out to study the collection and marketing status of morels in the remote HinduKush-Himalayan regions of Utror and Gabral, Pakistan. Eight species of morels were found to be collected in the project area during the months of March to July. Morchella conica and Morchella esculenta were the major species collected in the area. These morels are sold in the local markets of Madyan and Mingora, from where they are exported to France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. Morels thus provide a vital source of income to the poor population of Utror and Gabral. Morel collectors include 38.0% women, 37.0% men and 25.0% children. Huge quantities of morels are lost each year due to improper storage and collection techniques

Common Medicinal Folk Recipes of District Buner, NWFP, Pakistan

An ethnobotanical project was carried out in the remote mountainous region of District Buner. Locals rely on medicinal plants for curing different ailments since time immemorial. However, recent and ever increasing dependency of locals on allopathic drugs along with industrialization, urbanization and globalization trends slowly but surely are modifying indigenous values and culture. The existing ethnobotanical knowledge of the area will not remain intact for long. In present study an effort was made to document common folk recipes of the area. Thus folk recipes used for curing 30 common diseases in the area were documented

Common Medicinal Folk Recipes of District Buner, NWFP, Pakistan

An ethnobotanical project was carried out in the remote mountainous region of District Buner. Locals rely on medicinal plants for curing different ailments since time immemorial. However, recent and ever increasing dependency of locals on allopathic drugs along with industrialization, urbanization and globalization trends slowly but surely are modifying indigenous values and culture. The existing ethnobotanical knowledge of the area will not remain intact for long. In present study an effort was made to document common folk recipes of the area. Thus folk recipes used for curing 30 common diseases in the area were documented

Studies on Collection and Marketing of \u3cem\u3eMorchella\u3c/em\u3e (Morels) of Utror-Gabral Valleys, District Swat, Pakistan

This paper is based on a research project carried out to study the collection and marketing status of morels in the remote HinduKush-Himalayan regions of Utror and Gabral, Pakistan. Eight species of morels were found to be collected in the project area during the months of March to July. Morchella conica and Morchella esculenta were the major species collected in the area. These morels are sold in the local markets of Madyan and Mingora, from where they are exported to France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. Morels thus provide a vital source of income to the poor population of Utror and Gabral. Morel collectors include 38.0% women, 37.0% men and 25.0% children. Huge quantities of morels are lost each year due to improper storage and collection techniques

Checklist of Medicinal Plants of Siran Valley, Mansehra, Pakistan

This study was carried in Siran Valley district Mansehra. (Pakistan). The method adopted for documentation of indigenous knowledge was based on questionnaire consisting of semi-structured interviews employing a checklist of questions and direct observations. The aim of the study was to collect indigenous knowledge of local inhabitants about the use of native plants, which were being utilized by the people for the treatment of different diseases. The ethnomedicinal uses of 80 plant species belonging to 49 families were recorded during field trips from the research area. The cultivated medicinal plants consists of 21 species. The checklist and ethnomedicinal inventory was developed alphabetically by botanical name, followed by local name, family, part used and ethnomedicinal uses. Plant specimens were collected, identified, preserved, mounted and voucher was deposited in the Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, for future references

Common Medicinal Folk Recipes of Siran Valley, Mansehra, Pakistan

The present studies were aimed to investigate ethnomedicinal folk recipes used to cure different diseases in the study area. Questionnaire method was adopted for documentation of folk indigenous knowledge. The interviews were carried out in local community, to investigate local people and knowledgeable persons (Hakims, Women and Herdsmen) who are the main user of medicinal plants. The ethnomedicinal data on 44 plant species belonging to 31 families were recorded during field trips from different villages of the area. The botanical name, followed by local name, family, part used and ethnomedicinal uses in different folk recipes was recorded. Plants were collected, pressed, dried, preserved, mounted and identified through the available literature (Nasir& Ali, 1971-2001) and were confirmed by the experts in Department of Biology, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad. The specimens were deposited in the Herbarium, Department of Plant Sciences, and Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan (ISL)

Traditional Medicinal and Economic Uses of Gymnosperms of Dir Kohistan Valleys, NWFP, Pakistan

The ethnobotanical data of four families of gymnosperms with 11 species were collected from Dir Kohistan Valleys. These are Cupressaceae, Ephedraceae, Pinaceae and Taxaceae. A complete list of the plants is given with their name, family and ethnobotanical use, distribution and occurrence. Indigenous knowledge of local inhabitants about the use of native plants were collected during field trips through questionnaire. The inhabitants of the area have to use the medicinal plants for various purposes and have for a long time been dependent on surrounding plant resources for their food, shelter, fodder’s, health, care and other cultural purposes. Pinus roxburgii, P. wallichiana, Cedrus deodara, Abies pindrow and Taxus wallichiana are prominent gymnosperms of Dir Kohistan Valleys which are not only source of timber but also utilized as fuel wood and for medicinal purposes

Marketing of Medicinal Plants of Utror-Gabral Valleys, Swat, Pakistan

This paper is based on the results of an ethnobotanical project carried out in the area comprising Utror-Gabral Valleys of upper Swat. The residents of the area use indigenous medicinal plants for curing diseases and also sell some of them in the local market for earning their livelihood. About 44 medicinal plants are collected in the area during the months of May, June, July and August. Out of these 44 species collected and marketed, 8 species of medicinal plants are endangered, 8 species are vulnerable and 8 species are rare. Bulk of these medicinal plants are used locally and only Berberis lycium, Bergenia ciliata, Podophyllum hexandrum, Colchicum luteum, Dioscoria deltoides, Viola spp., Pistacia integrimma, Morchella esculenta, Paeonia emodi, Rheum australe, Aconitum hetrophyllum, Valeriana jatamansi, Acorus calamus, Juglans regia, Diospyrus lotus and Bistorta amplexicaulis make their way to national and international markets. A survey conducted shows that medicinal plants collectors include womenfolk (48.26%), menfolk (27.0%) and children (24.74%). Almost 90% of these medicinal plants are sold in the local market in fresh form as the collectors are poor and needy. Some species are cleaned, dried in the sun and stored in plastic bags. The percentage of losses is much higher in the storage because the collectors are unaware about the proper storage methods of these plants. The availability of medicinal plants decreased during the past 20 years. According to aged villagers, medicinal plants were abundant in the vicinities of human settlements some 20 years back. However, the population of medicinal plants drastically decreased due to increased marketing pressure on medicinal plants, lack of job opportunities in the area, non sustainable harvesting methods like digging of whole plant and increased population of the area. The medicinal plants are now collected in large volumes from remote areas of Desan, Ghos, Ladhu, Pala-Shair, Sind, Molat, Gozba, Deej, Tosi and Kagishdin

Ethnomedicinal Plants Used Against Jaundice in Dir Kohistan Valleys (NWFP), Pakistan

The paper enumerates the traditional uses of 42 plant species belonging to 28 families, which are used by the village communities of Dir Kohistan Valleys, (NWFP, Pakistan) for the treatment jaundice. Asteraceae is the leading family with four species. It is followed by Malvaceae, Solanaceae and Rhamnaceae with three species each. Some of useful species are under serious threat due to unsustainable activities. Hence, a proper documentation of useful plants with their present status and local traditional knowledge as well as practices is urgently needed. Effort should also be initiated to implement appropriate conservation measures for preservation and sustainable uses of these useful species

Medicinal Value of the Asteraceae of Dir Kohistan Valley, NWFP, Pakistan

The present study deals with the local uses of 25 species belonging to 21 genera of the family Asteraceae. Dir Kohistan valley has diverse habitats for the growth of various medicinal plants. The local medicinal uses include painkiller, diuretic, febrifuges, carminative, anthelmintic, antiinflammatory, aphrodisiac, cardio tonic, tonic, stomachache, dyspepsia, jaundice, leprosy, cough, asthma, ulcers, vomiting etc. People have strong faith in herbal medication by ethnomedicinal plants and women are leading men in applying the recipe for medication by these plants. Some of useful species are under serious threat due to unsustainable activities. Hence, a proper documentation of useful plants with their present status and local traditional knowledge as well as practices is urgently needed. Effort should also be initiated to implement appropriate conservation measures for preservation and sustainable uses of these useful species