Background:The study is an attempt to document the medicinal plants used in traditional health care systems in Rajouri-Poonch region of Himalaya. The study also highlights some direct relationships of botanical diversity with various social and cultural aspects, along with quantitative indices to validate the data investigated. This study presents the pioneering attempt to analyze the effect of various variables (age, gender, and education) for ethnobotanical data in Jammu and Kashmir.Methods: Convenience sampling has been used by selecting a total of 128 informants. Questions regarding the utilization of different plants, their parts used, diseases treated, and mode of administration were asked through using questionnaires prepared for the purpose. Data were analyzed through different quantitative ethnobotanical indices.Results: A total of 92 plant species belonging to 86 genera and 48 families investigated to be used in the traditional health care system of the region. Rosaceae is the most dominant family followed by Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, and Asteraceae. Most of the documented species were herbs (37.5%) followed by shrubs (17.96%), trees (11.71%), and climbers (4.68%). Leaves were the most common part used in herbal preparations followed by roots, whole plants, seeds, fruits, aerial parts, rhizomes, flowers, cloves and bark. The main method of preparation was decoction followed by extract, paste, powder, chewed, cooked, infusion, poultice and roasted. Species with the highest RFC were Taraxacum officinale (0.82), Raphanus sativus (0.68) and Allium sativa (0.67). Informant Consensus Factor for each disease category ranges from 0.94 to 0.97. The results reveals that there is a strong positive correlation between age and citations (r=0.64) and a negative correlation between the level of education and citations (r = -0.34).
Environmental contamination with a myriad of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is triggered by various natural and anthropogenic activities. However, the industrial revolution has increased the intensity of these hazardous elements and their concentration in the environment, which, in turn, could provoke potential ecological risks. Additionally, most PTEs pose a considerable nuisance to human beings and affect soil, aquatic organisms, and even nematodes and microbes. This comprehensive review aims to: (i) introduce potentially toxic elements; (ii) overview the major sources of PTEs in the major environmental compartments; (iii) briefly highlight the major impacts of PTEs on humans, plants, aquatic life, and the health of soil; (iv) appraise the major methods for tackling PTE-caused pollution; (v) discuss the concept and applications of the major eco-technological/green approaches (comprising phytoextraction, rhizofiltration, phytostabilization, phytovolatilization, and phytorestoration); (vi) highlight the role of microbes in phytoremediation under PTE stress; and (vii) enlighten the major role of genetic engineering in advancing the phytoremediation of varied PTEs. Overall, appropriate strategies must be developed in order to stop gene flow into wild species, and biosafety issues must be properly addressed. Additionally, consistent efforts should be undertaken to tackle the major issues (e.g., risk estimation, understanding, acceptance and feasibility) in order to guarantee the successful implementation of phytoremediation programs, raise awareness of this green technology among laymen, and to strengthen networking among scientists, stakeholders, industrialists, governments and non-government organizations.
Plant resources have been used by humans for their wellbeing for ages. Tribal communities live in far flung areas in close proximity with forests and have a rich cultural heritage and traditional knowledge of forest resources. The present study was carried out in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir to document the traditional knowledge of plant usage and local perception towards biodiversity conservation. A total of 86 informants were selected through non-probability sampling using a convenience sampling method based on easy access, availability and relevance of informants. During the present study, a total of 92 plant species belonging to 85 genera and 57 families were recorded. Fabaceae and Rosaceae were found to be dominant families. In terms of growth forms, herbaceous species were dominant, followed by trees. Leaves were the most common parts used, followed by fruits. These plant species are used for different purposes such as medicine, edibles, fodder and dye making. A number of plant species were found to be multipurpose in use. Most of the documented plant species are collected by local people from the wild. Local people perceived that the populations of many species, such as Dolomiaea costus, Dioscorea deltoidea and Dolomiaea macrocephala, have declined in recent decades. Climate change, urbanization, deforestation, pollution, overexploitation and species invasion are some of the major threats to biodiversity perceived by the local people. Therefore, the establishment of protected areas and cultivation of wild species are recommended to safeguard forest wealth of the area. Furthermore, mass awareness and cooperation-building programs are highly recommended so that locals can enthusiastically participate in conservation and management programs.
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