Ethnobotanical and conservation studies of tree flora of Shiwalik mountainous range of District Bhimber Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
Authors: Khanum Humaira , Ishtiaq Muhammad , Bhatti Khizar Hayat , Hussain Iqbal , Azeem Muhammad , Maqbool Mehwish , Hussain Tanveer , Mushtaq Waheeda , Thind Sumaira , Bashir Rohina , Muzamil Mahnoor , Abdel-Hafez Shams H. , Sayed Samy 
Published: February 2022

The present study was carried out to explore and document traditional ethnobotanical knowledge of indigenous rural communities of Shiwalik mountainous range regarding tree flora of the area, District Bhimber of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. The local people of the area primarily depend on wild flora for life sustenance and cure of different infirmities. In this research, data was collected through visual appraisal and participatory rural approach using questionnaire method by applying semi-structured and structured-interview protocols (S4 Table). To validate and explore novelty of research work, various quantitative ethnobotanical indices like informant consensus factor, use value index, fidelity level, relative frequency of citation, relative importance of plants, rank order of priority, Jaccard index and priority ranking were used. The highest ICF was found for jaundice with 0.91 value followed by ICF values of 0.89, 0.86 and 0.85 for wounds, skin diseases and stomach pains, respectively. Fidelity level predicted thatAzadirachta indica(Indian lilac tree) ranked first (100%) for its prevalent use in ethnomedicines. Highest use value index (0.61) was found forAzadirachta indicawhile the highest relative frequency of citation (55) was measured forMelia azedarach. The relative order of priority index was the highest forAzadirachta indicaandAcacia arabicaL. (ROP = 100) depicting their prevalent use in ethnomedicines. For EB study, the highest relative importance (50.8) was found forAzadirachta indicawith good number of agro-uses and its seeds and bark are sold or marketed in local markets to prepare herbal therapeutics by indigenous practioners. The Jaccard index depicted that many traditional ethnomedicinal uses of prescribed trees were novel in recipe form or first time reported such asSenegalia modesta(Phulai) resin was used to prepare ‘Panjoori’ a local tonic prepared from cow or buffalo butter mixing with seedsof Papaver somnifera(Kashkhash) andPrunus amygdalus(Badaam). The wood of many trees likePinus roxburghii(pine),Dalbergia sissoo(rosewood),Senegalia modesta(Phulai),Acacia.Arabica(kikar),Bombax cieba(cotton tree) is commercially sold as timber in markets (S3 Table). The research proved that population explosion and climate changes have triggered severe biotic and abiotic pressure on tree flora of the study area of Bhimber, AJK. The research describes that plants likeTerminalia belerica(belerica),Terminalia arjuna(arjun tree),Cassia fistula(Indian laburnum),Butea monosperma(bastard teak),Phyllanthus emblica(Indian gooseberry),Morus laevigata(Shah toot),Bauhinia variegata(orchid tree) andFlacourtia indica(Indian plum/ kakoo) are threatened species and their population is highly reduced and if reclamation measures for their conservation are not taken, it may lead towards their complete loss from the area. This research recommends sustainable ethnobotanical use of tree flora, their growth and conservation for green and ecofriendly environment for safe and secure future of human generation.