An ethnobotanical survey of wild food plants used by the local communities of Kumrat Valley in District Upper Dir, Pakistan

Ahmad, Latif; Riaz, Muhammad; Jan, Hammad Ahmad; Semotiuk, Andrew J.; Ahmad, Imran; Khan, Imran; F, Ali; Rashid, Wajid; Bussmann, Rainer W.

doi:10.32859/era.22.20.1-13

Cited by 11 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Amongst WEPs, with other than medicinal usage, fruits and leaves were the main plant parts used. These findings are in agreement with Addis et al (2013), Aryal et al (2018), Kumar (2019), Alemnah (2020), and Ahmad et al (2022) who also reported usage of a greater number of fruits in their studies. Higher nutritional value (Mahapatra and Panda 2012;Nayak and Basak 2015), better taste, free of cost availability, and eaten raw without cooking or processing are the prime reasons for the popularity of fruits among the general masses.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Altogether, 58 WEPs were utilized in the study area. These values are well within the range of 32-72 WEPs reported from Jammu and Kashmir (Kumar and Hamal 2009;Dangwal et al 2014;Singh et al 2021), other parts of Indian Himalayas (Aryal et al 2018;Radha et al 2018;, Nepal Himalayas (Bhattarai et al 2009;Uprety et al 2012;Khakurel et al 2021), and the World (Alemnah 2020; Hegazy et al 2020;Purba and Silalahi, 2021;Ahmad et al 2022). However, some studies have reported very high number of WEPs in their studies; 335 WEPs were identified from Hunan, China (Zou et al 2011), 173 WEPs from Xishuanbanna valley, China (Ghorbani et al 2012), 159 WEPs from Heihe valley, China (Kang et al 2012), 111 WEPs from Bandipora, Jammu and Kashmir, India (Singh et al 2016), 90 WEPs from Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, India (Bhatia et al 2018), 117 WEPs from Uzbekistan (Khojimatov et al 2020), and 130 plants from Kishtwar region of Jammu and Kashmir, India (Thakur and Dutt 2020).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

“…Kumar (2019), Tugume and Nyakooja (2020) and Haseen (2021) have also reported the higher usage of trees as WEPs. However, these results are in contrast to Alemnah (2020), Thakur and Dutt (2020) and Ahmad et al (2022) who have reported high usage of herbs in their studies. The higher utilization of trees may be because of their perennial and throughout the year availability, and diverse plant parts like leaves, twigs, stem, flowers, fruits, and seeds.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 80%

“…Jammu and Kashmir harbours a rich floral diversity and people of Union Territory (J&K) have rich ethnic knowledge and use the local flora very efficiently. Study on WEPs have been conducted by a number of researchers across the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state: Srivastava (1988) and Singh et al (2021) from Paddar; Ahmad et al (2022); Haq et al (2021) from Ladakh; Bhatia et al 2018;Sarver and Nigam (2020) from Udhampur; Rashid et al (2008) and Dangwal et al (2014) from Rajouri; Singh and Bedi (2018) from Kashmir; Showkat and Akhter (2018) from Baramulla; Mir and Sehgal (2021) from Jammu. However, no study has been conducted on WEPs of Samba district.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Wild Edible Plants of Purmandal block of District Samba, J&K (UT), India

Bhagat

Upadhyay

Manhas³

et al. 2022

Ethnobot. Res. App.

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Background: Edible plants that are neither cultivated nor domesticated but can be found in their natural habitat are known as wild edible plants (WEPs). In times of food scarcity, WEPs give a valuable natural nutritional supply as food, diet, and nutrients.Methods: An ethnobotanical field study was conducted in eleven villages of Purmandal using focused group discussions, and interviews through semi-structured questionnaires. Information was gathered from a total of 153 informants (115 females and 38 males). Informants were briefed about the objectives of the study and Prior Informed Consent (PIC) was obtained as per Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The various uses of WEPs were quantified as use-reports, and Cultural Importance Value (CI) and Factor informant consensus (Fic) were calculated.Results: Altogether 58 plants belonging to 51 genera and 34 families were used as WEPs. Cucurbitaceae and Rutaceae (5 species each) were the most represented families, and leaves and fruits were the most frequently used plant parts. The contribution of herbs, shrubs, and climbers were 36.2%, 37.9%, and 15.5%, respectively. The maximum CI was recorded for Mangifera indica L., Phyllanthus emblica L., and Bauhinia variegata (L). Benth. The values of Fic varied between 0.95 (medicinal usage) and 0.99 (chutney preparation). Conclusion: Locals of Purmandal have good knowledge of WEPs. Traditional products made from WEPs like Mangifera indica, Phyllanthus emblica and Bauhinia variegata can be commercialized to improve the economic status of the locals. Furthermore, the nutritive values of important species may be studied.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 80%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Wild Edible Plants of Purmandal block of District Samba, J&K (UT), India

Bhagat

Upadhyay

Manhas³

et al. 2022

Ethnobot. Res. App.

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“…Cannabaceae CUHA-19 Meyoon K,S Dadoo G Tree Fr Consumed raw Fresh fruit is eaten as raw 61 − + + Yes [ 46 ] No 9 Celtis australis L . Cannabaceae CUHA-18 Meyo K Tree Fr Consumed raw Fresh fruit is eaten as raw 18 − ++ – Yes [ 6 ] No 10 Chenopodium album L. Amaranthaceae CUHA-21 Kawa K , Pathow G Herb Lvs Cooked Fresh leaves are boiled in water, then fried in butter or ghee along with onion and common salt 62 − ++ – Yes [ 35 ] No 11 Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Asteraceae CUHA-23 Harul K , Horal G Herb Lvs Cooked Fresh leaves are boiled in water, then fried in butter or ghee along with onion and common salt 42 + ++ – Yes [ 5 ] No 12 Citrus aurantium L. Rutaceae CUHA-25 …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Edible wild plant species used by different linguistic groups of Kohistan Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan

Amin

Aziz

Pieroni

et al. 2023

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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Background The mountainous territory of Kohistan shelters diverse food plant species and is considered one of the important hotspots of local plant knowledge. In the era of globalization and food commodification, wild food plants (WFPs) play an important role in supporting local food systems and related local knowledge is one of the important pillars of food sustainability across the region. Since the area is populated by different cultural groups and each culture has retained particular knowledge on the local plant species, therefore, to make a cross-culturally comparison, the study was planned to record and compare the local plants knowledge among three linguistic groups viz Gujjar, Kohistani and Shina in order to not only protect the local knowledge but to determine the food cultural adaptations among these groups looking through the lens of their food ethnobotanies. Methods Field ethnobotanical survey was carried out in 2020–2021 to gather the data on wild food plants. We used semi-structured interviews. Use reports were counted, and the results were visualized through Venn diagrams. Results In total, 64 plant species belonging to 45 botanical families were documented. Among these Ajuga integrifolia, Barbarea verna, Clematis grata, Impatiens edgeworthii, Ranunculus laetus (vegetables), Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana (fruit), Indigofera tinctoria (flower), Juniperus excelsa, Primula elliptica, P. macrophylla (flavoring agent), Leontopodium himalayanum (Chewing gum), and Juniperus excelsa (snuff) were reported for the first time. The highest use reports (≥ 90) were recorded for Mentha longifolia, Amaranthus hybridus, Quercus semecarpifolia, Solanum miniatum, Oxalis corniculata, Ficus palmata, and Urtica dioica. Maximum number of wild food plant species (WFPs) were reported by Kohistani, followed by Shinaki and Gujjari linguistic groups. The percentage overlap of traditional knowledge on WFPs was highest among Kohistani and Shinaki (56.0%), followed by Shinaki and Gujjars (17.0%), and Kohistani and Gujjars (15.0%). Kohistani and Shinaki groups exhibited maximum homogeneity in traditional knowledge. However, Gujjars had more knowledge on WFPs compared to Kohistani and Shinaki. In addition, some dairy products viz. Bhorus, Bagora, Bak, Cholam, Kacha, Gurloo and Poyeen were reported also reported that are consumed orally and used in traditional cuisines. Conclusions The study indicates that Kohistan is one of the important spots of biocultural diversity and could be recognized as biocultural refugia. WFPs have been an integral part of the traditional food systems among the studied groups, particularly the Gujjars have reported more distinct plant uses which could be referred to their distinctive ecological experiences among others. However, social change is one of the challenges that might lead to the erosion of local plant knowledge. Moreover, intercultural negotiations among the studied groups are also a matter of concern which could homogenize the local knowledge among them. Therefore, we suggest solid policy measures to protect the local knowledge and celebrate diversity across this mountain territory.

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The ethnobotanical heritage of Lotkuh, a high-altitude tribal haven of Chitral, the Eastern Hindu Kush, Pakistan

Ullah,

Badshah

2024

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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Background In northwestern Pakistan, Lotkuh is a high-altitude terrain nestled within the eastern Hindu Kush region. Enclaved by towering peaks and harboring a unique culture, the region mirrors the geographical and cultural diversity of Pakistan. In this geographically isolated region, a treasure trove of ethnobotanical knowledge unfolds through generations of interaction between the inhabitants and indigenous plants, resulting in a profound understanding of the plant uses in nutritional, medicinal, cultural, and ritual contexts. Thus, the study seeks to gather, analyze, and document the indigenous knowledge of plant utilization of the distinct tribal culture. Methods Through semi-structured questionnaires, inventory interviews, and participatory workshops, data were collected by engaging a cohort of 120 local respondents. The collected data were then classified into nine distinct use categories, following which quantitative indices were calculated. Results The research identified a total of 150 plant species spanning across 59 different families and categorized them into 9 distinct usage groups. Among these, Astragalus oihorensis, Astragalus owirensis, Cicer nuristanicum, Geranium parmiricum, and Rochelia chitralensis stand out as novel species with distinctive applications. Notably, medicinal use garnered 600 reports, while animal feed, veterinary applications, human consumption, and toxicity recorded 500, 450, 425, and 104 reports, respectively. Informant consensus was high ranging between 0.8 and 0.9 with most agreement on human food and animal feed category. Platanus orientalis and Juglans regia, with RFC 0.91, were the most cited. The Family Importance Value (FIV) of Juglandaceae and Platanaceae, each with an FIV of 0.91, and Capparidaceae with an FIV of 0.83 indicate the intricate role the families play. Conclusions In this study, we explore 150 ethnobotanical species, uncovering novel entries within ethnobotanical literature. Among these, several species showcase unique uses previously undocumented in Pakistani literature. Our research sheds light on the intricate interaction between plants and the distinct cultural landscape of the Lotkuh region.

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An ethnobotanical survey of wild food plants used by the local communities of Kumrat Valley in District Upper Dir, Pakistan

Cited by 11 publications

References 13 publications

Wild Edible Plants of Purmandal block of District Samba, J&K (UT), India

Wild Edible Plants of Purmandal block of District Samba, J&K (UT), India

Edible wild plant species used by different linguistic groups of Kohistan Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan

The ethnobotanical heritage of Lotkuh, a high-altitude tribal haven of Chitral, the Eastern Hindu Kush, Pakistan

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