全 文 ：Ethnopharmacological Survey of Plants Used for the Treatment
of Stomach , Diabetes, and Ophthalmic Diseases in
Sudhan Gali , Kashmir , Pakistan
Muhammad Waseem
1
, M . Amin Ullah Shah
2
?
, Rizwana AleemQureshi
2
,
Iqbal Muhammad3 , Rabia Afza1 , Saeeda Yousaf4
( 1 World Wildlife Fund, Pakistan; 2 Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan; 3 Kohat University of
Science & Technology, Kohat, Pakistan; 4 University of Peshawar, Pakistan)
Abstract: The present paper represents the ethnopharmacological survey of Sudhan Gali , Kashmir, Pakistan . The study
revealed that 12 plant species belonging to 11 families were used for the treatment of stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic
diseases by the local people in SudhanGali . Achillea millefolium, Aconitumheterophyllum, Berberis lycium, Polygonum
amplexicaule, Mentha longifolia, Paeonia emodi, Plantago lanceolata were locally used for stomach related problems
treatment; Berberis lycium, Skimmia lareola, Solanum dulcamara for diabetes and Geraniumwallichianum, Artemisia
vulgaris, Solanumdulcamara, and Corydalis crassifolia used for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases . Two species Ber-
beris lycium and Solanumdulcamara havemultipurpose value . Former is used to treat stomach as well as diabetes while
latter is used to treat not only to diabetes but also ophthalmic diseases . According to IUCN categories, out of these 12
plant species collectedandmarketed, Polygonumamplexicauleand Paeonia emodi areendangered, Aconitumheterophyl-
lum; Berberis lyciumspecies are vulnerable while Plantago lanceolata and Skimmia lareola species are rare .
Theavailability of these medicinal plants has decreased during the past 20 years and these are facing a drastic biotic
pressure dueto their extensive usageand non-scientific methods of collection . It is quiteevident that thesevaluable native
medicinal plants species are goingto decline in number and ultimately will become extinct if no timely proper conservation
strategies are adopted .
Key words: Medicinal plants; IUCN; Biotic pressure; Conservation; Ethnopharmacology
CLC number : Q 948 Document Code : A Article ID : 0253 - 2700(2006)05 - 535 - 08
Introduction
Sudhan Gali is situated at about 2 100 m above
sea level and lies between latitude 34°3′35″- 34°6′35″
and longitude 73°44′30″- 70°48′15″. It is 60 km away
from State Capital Muzaffarabad, Kashmir, Pakistan .
The highest point of Sudhan Gali is Ganga Choti . Its
height is about 3 045 m, which is famous for its fasci-
nating landscape .
The soil of Sudhan Gali varies from clay loam to
sandy loamand calcareous innature . It isvery shallow
on slopes and deep in valley floors . The area has ex-
treme climate with very cold winters . The mean maxi-
mumtemperaturein June is20℃ to 26℃ while in win-
ter the temperature drops to freezing point . The mean
annual precipitation is between 370 to 650 mm, re-
ceived mostly as monsoon showers fromJuly to August .
Snowfall frequently occurs and mountains covered with
snow fromDecember up to the end of February .
The Sudhan Gali is the starting point of district
Bagh, Kashmiy . Nearly 2000 inhabitants live in
Sudhan Gali village . Majority of thepeople areSudhans
(1708 ) , followed by Khwajas ( 107 ) and Abbassis
(101) , while the rest are Qureshi , Sheikh and Mu-
ghal . The number of household is 222 . The average
云 南 植 物 研 究 2006 , 28 (5) : 535～542
Acta Botanica Yunnanica

? ?Correspondence author’spresent address: Kunming Instituteof Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Heilongtan, Kunming, 650204 , P . R .
China . E - mail address: amin@mail .kib. ac. cn Tel : 0086 - 871 - 5223504
Received date: 2005 - 05 - 12 , Accepted date: 2006 - 04 - 25
household size is about 6 - 7 persons . The basic eco-
nomic activities of locals are shop keeping and farming .
However, good number of male areworking in Pakistan
or overseas, which is amajor source of revenue for the
area with limited sources of employment . Since, the
people cannot afford allopathic medicines, they rely on
local medicinal plants for their health problems . They
are dependent on the traditional medicines for the reason
of poor communication means andunavailability of mod-
ern medical facilities (Shah, 2005 ) . Medicinal plants
also provide somefinancial support to the local people .
Ethnobotany has introduced the numerous littleknownor
unknown uses of plants ( Jain, 1981) .
According to the Forest zone distribution, Sudhan
Gali Compartment No . is 25 spreading over an area of
120 hectares . It comprised of three major ecological
zones viz; 1 . Humid zone; 2 . Temperate zone; 3 .
Sub-alpine zone . Pinus roxburghii , Quercus dilatata,
Acacia modesta, Ficus palmata, Berberis lycium are
thedominant speciesof moist, humid zone . In temper-
ate zone Pinus wallichiana, Abies pindrow occur while
Abies pindrow, Viburnumgrandiflorum, Salix grandi-
falium, Gentiana kurroo, Impatient edgewerthii , Pa-
lygonumnepalensis represent the sub alpine zone .
Study Objectives
Present study was conducted to resolve following
three objectives:
1-Document medicinal plants used for the treat-
ment of stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic diseases
2- Identify threats associated to theseplants by an-
thropogenic activities
3-Suggestmeasures for theconservationof theseplants
Materials and Methods
The present ethno-pharmacological study was conducted in
2002 . Extensivefield tripswerearrangedfor collectingdata regard-
ingmedicinal plants of the areausing an integratedapproach of bo-
tanical collections, group discussions, interviews and question-
naires . The helpof local traditional medical practitioners andphysi-
cianswas also taken . Plants were identified taxonomically by refer-
ring to the“Flora of Pakistan”by (Nasir and Ali , 1981) . Identi-
fied specimenswere later confirmed by matching the specimenswith
authentic specimens availableat the Herbariumof Biological Depart-
ment, Quaid-e-AzamUniversity Islamabad, Pakistan .
Documented the information about themedicinal plants used
for thetreatment of stomach, diabetes, and ophthalmic diseases
by the locals . Also collected information regarding the collection
season, quantity, market value and threats associated to these
plants . Furthermore, identified the conservationmeasures .
Results
Ethnopharmacological study revealed that 12 plant
species belong to 11 families were used for the treat-
ment of stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic disease by
the locals in Sudhan Gali . Their botanical & vernacu-
lar names, part used, quantity used per dose, treat-
ment period, availability, collection method and
chemical constituents given are below:
Medicinal plants used for the treatment of stomach
1 . Achillea millefoliumL .
Family name: Asteraceae ( Compositae)
Local Name: Sultani Butti
Part used: Leaves
Quantity used per dose: 6gms (1-3plants)
Treatment period: 2 days
Dose administration: leaves chewing
Availability: June-August
Collection Method: Plucking
Chemical Constituents: Achillein, volatileoil tannin, and adullic acid
2 . AconitumheterophyllumWall . ex Royle
Family name: Ranunculaceae
Local Name: Atees Patees
Part used: Roots
Quantity used per dose: 30gms (1-2plants)
Treatment period: 2 days
Dose administration: Dried rootswere chewed
Availability: July-November
Collection Method: Digging
Chemical Constituents: Tannin, noncrystalline; amorphous alkaloid,
aconitenic acid, sugar, starch, fat, locic palmitic, stearic glyceride .
3 . Berberis lyciumRoyle
Family name: Berberidaceae
Local Name: Kala Sumbal
Part used: Roots, bark
Quantity used per dose: 20gms (1-2plants)
Treatment period: 4 days
635 云 南 植 物 研 究 28 卷
Dose administration: Use dried roots in crushed form .
Availability: April-June
Collection Method: Digging
Chemical Constituents: Chief alkaloids of roots are unbellatine,
berberine, berbamine, starch grains, tannin
4 . PolygonumamplexicauleD . Don .
Family name: Polygonaceae
Local Name: Mashloon
Part used: Rhizome
Quantity used per dose: 5gm (1 - 4 flowers)
Treatment period: 2 days
Dose administration:
Availability: July
Collection Method: Picking
Chemical Constituents: Mainly Oxalic acid is present in this plant;
leaves contain vitamin A and C . Roots contain 21% tannin
5 . Mentha longifolia (L .) Huds .
Family name: Lamiaceae
Local Name: Podina
Part used: Leaves
Quantity used per dose: 8gms (2plants)
Treatment period: 2 days
Dose administration: Leaves directly eaten
Availability: July-August
Collection Method: Plucking
Chemical Constituents: Mainly common mint, menthol oil
6 . Paeonia emodi Wall . ex Hk . f .
Family name: Paeoniaceae
Local Name: Mamakh
Part used: Rhizome
Quantity used per dose: 5gms (1 - 4 flowers)
Treatment period: 2 days
Dose administration: Crushed rhizomes extract is usually used
Availability: May-J une
Collection Method: Picking
Chemical Constituents: Major constituents of this plant are; starch,
sugar, fat, oxalates, phosphoric acid, volatileoil and little tannin
7 . Plantago lanceolata L .
Family name: Plantaginaceae
Local Name: Chitti Buttii
Part used: Leaves
Quantity used per dose: 4gms (1 - 3 plants)
Treatment period: 2 days
Dose administration: Dried leaves
Availability: July-November
Collection Method: Plucking
Chemical Constituents: Tannin, flavonoids, mucilage, glyco-
cides, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, vitamin C & K ,
beta-carotene
Medicinal plants used for the treatment of Diabetes
1 . Berberis lyciumRoyle
Family name: Berberidaceae
Local Name: Kala Sumbal
Part used: Roots barks
Quantity used per dose: 20gms (1-2plants)
Treatment period: 5 days
Dose administration: Dried roots in crushed form
Availability: April-June
Collection Method: Digging
Chemical Constituents: Chief alkaloids of roots are unbellatine,
berberine, berbamine, starch grains, tannin
2 . Skimmia lareola (DC .) Sieb . & Zucc . ex Walp .
Family name: Rutaceae
Local Name: Neer Pattar
Part used: Leaves
Quantity used per dose: 2gms (1plant)
Treatment period: 3 days
Dose administration: Leaves extract
Availability: Evergreen
Collection Method: Plucking
Chemical Constituents: Terpenes, 1-linaload, linalyl acetate,
anzulene & bergapatene, alkaloid skimianine, and a neutral
substance skiminial
3 . Solanumdulcamara L .
Family name: Solanaceae
Local Name: Kachmach
Part used: Fruits
Quantity used per dose: 20gms (1plant)
Treatment period: when ever it is available
Dose administration: Fruits are edible
Availability: September-October
Collection Method: Plucking
Chemical Constituents: Mainly Solamargine and Solasonine other
are alkaloids, faronoids, sterole, saponin and their glycosides
are also present
7355 期 MuhammadWaseem et al: Ethnopharmacological Survey of Plants Used for theTreatment of . . .
Medicinal plants used for the treatment of ophthal-
mic disease
1 . GeraniumwallichianumD . Don . ex Sweet
Family name: Geraniaceae
Local Name: Rattan Jot
Part used: Rhizome
Quantity used per dose: 3gms (3 plants)
Treatment period: 3 days
Dose administration:
Availability: July-October
Collection Method: Picking
Chemical Constituents: Citronellol , Geraniole
2 . Artemisia vulgaris L .
Family name: Asteraceae ( Compositae)
Local Name: Chitti Choa
Part used: Leaves
Quantity used per dose: 7gms (1plant)
Treatment period: 7 days
Dose administration: Leaves extract
Availability: July-Sep or ( Jun-Sep)
Collection Method: Plucking
Chemical Constituents: 1 , 8-cineol , beta-thujone, camphene,
santonin
3 . Solanumdulcamara L .
Family name: Solanaceae
Local Name: Kachmach
Part used: Leaves
Quantity used per dose: 10gms
Treatment period: 3 days
Dose administration: leaves extract
Availability: July-October
Collection Method: Plucking
Chemical Constituents: Mainly Solamargine and Solasonine other
are alkoloids, faronoids, sterole, saponin and their glycosides
are also present
4 . Corydalis crassifolia Royle
Family Name: Fumariaceae
Local name: Mamaira
Part used: Stem
Quantity used per dose: 10gm (1plant)
Treatment period: 2 days
Dose administration: Dried stemwith milk
Availability: July-August
Collection Method: Digging
Chemical Constituents: Corypalline, Protopine, Stylopine
Discussion
Naturehas bestowed agreat diversity of plant spe-
cies to Sudhan Gali . Round about 64 plant species are
reported to be occurring in this valley . Most of these
plants are known to posses medicinal properties and
economic values and local persons know their uses from
the past hundred years . Someof these plants are com-
mercially exploited for the extraction of various typesof
active ingredients (Ahmad et al ., 2003) . As a mat-
ter of fact, the indigenous or eastern system of medi-
cines is entirely basedon thepropertiesof theseplants .
Medicinal plants are not only used exclusively in
theindigenous systemof medicinebut find extensiveuse
in allopathic system of medicine also . Leading drug
dealer’s of Pakistan import more than 90% of herbs
from Sri Lanka, China, India and Afghanistan . Ten
leading Dawakhanas consumed 631.5 t of medicinal
herbs worth 20million . As a matter of fact the actual
consumption of medicinal herbs will bemany timesmore
than this . When weconsider that there are about 50000
registered Tabibs beside those who are unregistered of
themwill be using some quantity of medicinal plants .
In international drugmarkets, fewplants also havegood
demand for example Saussurea lappa, Glycyrrhiza gla-
bra, Aconitum heterophyllum, Mentha longifolia,
Paeonia emodi , Berberis lycium, Plantago lanceola-
ta, Geraniumwallichianum, Corydalis crassifolia etc .
All the plants havedifferent usesbesidemedicinal prop-
erties for example, extracted oil from Skimmia lareola
used in place of lave dour in soap and perfumes . Also
used flavoring for food . Resonant is present in Berberis
lycium is very useful in acute conjunctivitis and in
chronic ophthalmic disease besides using for unhealthy
ulcer andsores in Pakistan and India . Menthol obtained
from Mentha longifolia, which contains 1 .6% oil ,
yielding 60% - 80% of menthol .
Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ & K ) always remain
amajor exporter of fewmedicinal plants . According to
asurvey conducted by Khan A . A ., Pakistan Forest
835 云 南 植 物 研 究 28 卷
Institute in 1989 , AJ & K export 38 tons of crudeme-
dicinal plants fromwild exported to national and inter-
national markets . AJ & K always remains a major ex-
porter of Saussurea lappa . In the Forestry Statistics of
AJ & K 2001 , therewas an export of 165520Kgs Sau-
ssurea lappa, 539460Kgs of resin, and 4270Kgs
Morchella fromforest area .
Some 2000 inhabitants, mostly of Sudhan origin
live along the Sudhan Gali forest buffer zone, which
largely depends on forest resources for fuel wood, fod-
der, vegetables and for health care . Beside inhabita-
nts, shephards also live seasonally in the pastures of
hotspot . Surroundingvillagesof Sudhan Gali also dras-
tically damage these forest resources and now depend
on Sudhan Gali forest for their subsidiary uses . Medic-
inal plants are collected for traditional uses as well as
for trade . Local people because of poverty cannot af-
ford to buy allopathic medicines; therefore, they rely
on local medicinal plants to cope with diseases .
Up to 1950 , about 84% of Pakistan population
was dependent on traditional medicines for all or most
of their medicinal need (Hocking, 1958 ) . Developing
countries have a rich flora of medicinal plants that are
potential sources of new drugs and new biologically ac-
tive substances (Kirthar and Basu, 1993 ) .
Ethnopharmacological study revealed 12 plant spe-
cies belongs to 11 families used traditionally for the
treatment of stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic diseas-
es in Sudhan Gali . Himalyan range of Pakistan is en-
riched inmedicinal plants and 300 plants that are used
and traded . But the local people areusing theseplants
mercilessly and such natural resources are going to-
wards depletion . (Shinwari et al , 2000 , 2002) .
Achillea millefolium, Aconitum heterophyllum,
Berberis lycium, Polygonum amplexicaule, Mentha
longifolia, Paeonia emodi , Plantago lanceolata were
locally used for stomach related problems treatment,
Berberis lycium, Skimmia lareola, Solanum dulcamara
for diabetes and Geraniumwallichianum, Artemisia vul-
garis, Solanumdulcamara and Corydalis crassifolia used
by locals for thetreatmentof ophthalmic diseases . Locals
collect these medicinal plants during the months of
April—August . Out of twelve, six plant species ( Aconi-
tum heterophyllum, Berberis lycium, Paeonia emodi ,
Skimmia lareola, Geraniumwallichianum and Corydalis
crassifolia) weretraded toNational and International mar-
kets while the rest are used locally . According to IUCN
categories, out of these 12 species collected and market-
ed, Polygonumamplexicaule and Paeonia emodi spe-
cies are endangered, Aconitumheterophyllumand Ber-
beris lycium species are vulnerable and Plantago lan-
ceolata and Skimmia lareola species are rare .
Study revealed that 62% of local community de-
pends on traditional recipes?use of these plants for
health care, followed by traditional practitioners
(Hakims) (25% ) and allopathic treatment (13% ) .
The main reason to follow traditional use of plant
resources is poverty and lack of basic health facilities in
the area . Without seasonal jobs (Hotspot for the tour-
ists) , there is no economic activity in the area . Few
villagers are engaged in other cities and oversee in dif-
ferent jobs . For three villages a single basic health
unit is available in the area while the district Bagh was
far fromthe area . A comparative analysiswas conduct-
ed to estimate the actual cost of the treatment of stom-
ach, diabetes and ophthalmic diseasethrough allopath-
ic treatment system, traditional practitioners or tabib
and traditional use of plant resources .
Results showed that; allopathic treatment cost for
stomachdiseases ranges fromrupees (Rs .) 350 - 2350 ,
for diabetes Rs . 350 - 850 and for ophthalmic diseases
ranges fromRs . 650 - 950 per treatment . While tradi-
tional practitioners treatment cost for stomach diseases
ranges from Rs . 150 - 2000, for diabetes Rs . 150 -
200 and for ophthalmic disease ranges fromRs . 50 - 100
per treatment . Treatment cost includes travel cost (TC) ,
treatment fee (TF) and medicine cost (MF ) for Sudhan
Gali community . While in caseof traditional useof plant
resources for the treatment of mentioneddiseasehavezero
cost . That’s why poor people always prefer the use of
indigenous knowledge for the treatment of these diseas-
es . Comparative analysis was given in table 1 .
Another but the most important factor is the be-
lief . Mountainous communities have their own culture,
9355 期 MuhammadWaseem et al: Ethnopharmacological Survey of Plants Used for theTreatment of . . .
ethics, and customs likewise theyalso have strongbe- lief on traditional or indigenous systemof treatment .
Table 1 Treatment cost of stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic disease
Treatment
Diseases Expenses
Stomach Diabetes Ophthalmic
TC TF MC Total TC TF MC Total TC TF MC Total
Allopathic 50 ?200 - 300 100 Y- 2000 350 - 2350 50 200 - 300 100 - 500 350 - 850 50 Q200 - 300 400 - 600 650 - 950
Pansaries Nil Nil 150 Y- 2000 150 ?- 2000 Nil Nil 150 ?- 200 150 - 200 Nil Nil 50 - 100 50 - 100
Local Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil
Key: TC = Travel cost, TF = Treatment Fee, MC = Medicine cost
Availability of thesemedicinal plantshasbeende-
creased during the past 20 years . It is suggested that
proper provisions must be adopted to control the extinc-
tion of these native species, otherwise these will be
wipedout if no conservation strategy is adopted for the
area . Local staff, local stakeholders, plant collectors
and local leaders should be aware about the conserva-
tion of these valuable plant resources of the area
( Ameeruddy, 1996 ) . According to aged villagers,
medicinal plants were abundant in thevicinities of hu-
man settlements some 20 years back . However, the
populations of these medicinal plants at the moment
facing a drastic biotic pressure by unsustainable har-
vestingmethods like digging of whole plant, increased
population pressure and absence of trademechanism .
Survey results showed that medicinal plant collec-
tors include women ( 65% ) , men ( 20% ) and chil-
dren ( 15% ) . Usually they collect whole plants for
their use . Each household collect 1 .311 t per annum
plant species for the treatment of stomach, diabetes
and ophthalmic diseases . According to the dose esti-
mation each household require 0 .346 t per annum .
Wastage quantity of these twelve medicinal plants is
three times ( 0 . 963 t ) to usage?household?annum .
Traditional treatment prevails from one to three days,
in averageeach household usingmedicinal plant for the
treatment of stomach disease 6 times per annum, 1
time per annumfor diabetes and 3 times per annumfor
ophthalmic disease . Sixty-two percent community of
Sudhan Gali depends on traditional plants use for the
treatment of stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic dis-
ease, annual consumption is 47.7 t?year, but they
collect 180 .9 t?year . Quantity collected per specie
given in Table 2 .
Six plant species ( Aconitumheterophyllum, Ber-
beris lycium, Paeonia emodi , Skimmia lareola, Gera-
niumwallichianumand Corydaliscrassifolia) aresold in
local market in fresh form, as the collectors are poor
and needy . Usually male members involved in medici-
nal plants collection for trade . Theycollect and soldon
nominal prices or alternately to medicine on Pansaries
or middleman . Who dried up the fresh material and
Table 2 Amount collected per household?year for the treatment of stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic diseases
Amount Quantity used? Quantity
No . Medicinal Plant Collected? Plant details HH?annum wastage?
HH?annum ( kg) annum
(kg) (gms)
1 ?Achillea millefolium 1 .73 Single dose: 6 plants, having 4gmwt . each 0 .86 0 .87
2 ?Aconitum heterophyllum 10 .08 Single dose: 4plants, having 35gms wt . each 4 .32 5 .76
3 ?Berberis lycium 24 .0 Single plant having 12 Kgwt 2plant are enough for whole season 1 !. 44 + 0 .24 = 1 .68 22 /. 32
4 ?Polygonumamplexicaule 0 .72 Only flowers were collected 0 .72 0 .00
5 ?Mentha longifolia 1 .73 Shoot was collected 1 .15 0 .58
6 ?Paeonia emodi 0 .72 Only flowers were collected , but mostly people collect whole 0 .72 0 .00
plants for other uses
7 ?Plantago lanceolata 2 .30 Single dose: 4plants, having 4gmwt . each 0 .57 1 .73
8 ?Skimmia lareola 0 .144 Only leaves are collected 0 .072 0 .00
9 ?Solanum dulcamara 0 .96 Shoot was collected 0 !. 72 + 0 .24 = 0 .96 0 .00
10 /Geraniumwallichianum 4 ?. 86 Beside rhizomes, roots were also used 0 .324 4 ?. 53
11 /Artemisia vulgaris 3 ?. 788 Single dose: 1plant, having 15gmwt . each 1 ?. 76 2 .02
12 /Corydalis crassifolia 1 ?. 44 Single dose: 1plant, having 20gmwt . each 0 ?. 72 0 .72
045 云 南 植 物 研 究 28 卷
bring to the main markets of Lahore, Peshawar and
Rawalpindi and sold at high prices . According to vil-
lagers beside other plant species about 20 - 25 tons of
above six species exported through middle-man to the
national and international marketsMarket values of me-
dicinal plants is given in Table 3 .
Table 3 Market Value of medicinal plants used for the treatment of
stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic diseases
No . Medicinal Plant Vernacular name Market Value
( kg)
1 ?Achillea millefolium Sultani Butti 30 V- 40
2 ?Aconitumheterophyllum Atees Patees 800
3 ?Berberis lycium Kala Sumbal 50 V- 60
4 ?Polygonumamplexicaule Mashloon 10
5 ?Mentha longifolia Podina 40
6 ?Paeonia emodi Mamakh 100
7 ?Plantago lanceolata Chitti Butti Unavailable in
the market
8 ?Skimmia lareola Neer Pattar 40
9 ?Solanumdulcamara Kachmach 150
10 #Geraniumwallichianum Rattan jot 15 ?
11 #Artemisia vulgaris Chitti Choa 80 ?
12 #Corydalis crassifolia Mamaira 400 ?
Threats to medicinal plants
When, during the 1980s, the current biodiversity
extinction crisisbecame awidespread focusof scientific
and public attention (Wilson, 1988) , biologist identi-
fied it as the first in the history of the planet to be, by
and large, a human-made phenomenon, caused by the
negative impacts of human activities on the environ-
ment . The main cause that has been identified for the
degradationof world’s ecosystems and the depletion of
thebiodiversity in them-fromchanges in land use toover
harvesting of natural resources, waste disposal , alien
species invasion, extreme natural events and climate
change-all stemfrom human activities, or have a major
human activity component to them . The reduction of
number of these unique species correlates with popula-
tion density and with regional floristic diversity also .
Dependence on medicinal plants for health care
purpose isnot amajor threat to the populationof medic-
inal plants but becauseof increasingpopulation pressure
from neighbor villages, timber mafia, encroachment of
local community, free grazing of Shepard’s livestock
and illegal harvesting of medicinal plants for trade .
Chaudhry and Qureshi ( 1991 ) , reported that as many
as 709 species in Pakistan are at the risk of endanger,
being hardly wiped out or exterminated altogether .
Plant resources of Sudhan Gali are also increasingly go-
ingto decline and are at the risk of extinction . Local
community has the right to collect medicinal plants in
addition to other forest products but such rights aremis-
used resulting in the loss of native wild plants . Ground
vegetation (comprising of medicinal plants) is under no
scientific management resulting in thedegradationof this
resource . Catalyze awareness of the value of biological
diversity and support for its conservation among a broad
rangeof people ( Balick, 1996) . In addition to these,
improper species cultivation, agriculture encroachment,
forest fire, uncontrolled tourism, climate change, pol-
lution and acid rains, diseases and insects pests prob-
lems and abuse of forests by staff of the management
agencies areseveral other worse threats for theextinction
of thesevaluablemedicinal plant species .
Conservation Strategies for the Area
In AJ & K no attention is being paid to the sys-
tematic cultivation and collection of medicinal plants
neither any authentic data is available except some lim-
ited information .
Study revealed that the usage of knowledge and
perceptionsof local resource users is valuablefor devel-
oping management guidelines for theMP’s and for over
all conservation approaches . Thus a key aspect of sus-
tainable useof plant resources in the areawould be the
integration of this knowledge and scientific knowledge
for developing formal community . Authors studied the
cultivation, collection seasons of these plants for the
on farmcultivation of these medicinal plants . Cultiva-
tion method and collection seasons of these medicinal
plants are given in Table 4 .
Government as well asnon-government organizations
should have to come up with awareness and conservation
projects for the conservation of these medicinal plants .
On farmtrainingprograms for the cultivationof thesepla-
nts will ensured the survival of these economically as well
as from conservation point of view important plant spe-
cies . Through leading dawakhana’s collaboration this
programcan be extended in wholeKashmir valley .
1455 期 MuhammadWaseem et al: Ethnopharmacological Survey of Plants Used for theTreatment of . . .
Table 4 Cultivation and collection seasons of Stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic diseases Plants
No . Medicinal Plant Cultivation mechanism Seed collection season Seed sowing season Transplantation season
1 EAchillea millifolium Seedling May May
2 EAconitumheterophyllum Seedling May-J une July, August
3 EBerberis lycium Seedling?transplantation June- July July, August May, July
4 EPolygonumamplexicule Transplantation May July
5 EMentha longifolia Transplantation May, June & July June-July
6 EPaeonia emodi Seedling May July
7 EPlantago lanceolata Seedling?transplantation August August August
8 ESkimmia lareola Seedling Nov-Dec August
9 ESolanumdulcamara Seedling?transplantation August July May-J uly
10 XGeraniumwallichianum Transplantation July-Oct July
11 XArtemisia vulgaris Seedling?transplantation May-J uly July May-J uly
12 XCorydalis crassifolia Seedling?transplantation July July July
Ex Situ Conservation
Ex situ conservation of plants is more feasible .
Ex situ conserved collections are recommended to beof
two kinds . The first is material is grown in gardens ei-
ther institutional botanic gardens or private gardens .
The second is the material in stored state, commonly
as processed and packaged seed in long-term storage,
but conceivably as tissue cultures in meristem banks
(Hawkes, 2001 ) and possibly DNA libraries . These
two kind of collections, the growing and the stored,
differ strikingly in the number of individuals and of
species that can be handled . The ex situ collection is
then set up (1) by sampling seeds directly from original
sites and processing and storing the natural seed, (2) by
growing the source material to maturity as plants in gar-
dens that are replanted as necessary to maintain the spe-
cies, or (3) by harvestingseed fromthematureplants in
gardens and processing this seed for long-termstorage .
In Situ Conservation
Proper management should be made for the con-
servation of ecosystems and natural habitats and the
maintenance and recovery of viable populations of spe-
cies in the natural surroundings . The area of naturally
conserved populations must be increased and strict care
should be taken to avoid them from the risk of weed,
herbivoes and other hazards for their life .
Acknowledgements : Wewish to thank the chief conservator of
theforest in Bagh, Kashmir, and gratefully acknowledge the fi-
nancial support provided by W . W . F . Pakistan .
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