Ethnobotanical studies of some wild plants of Swat valley, Kp, Pakistan

Abstract

Abstract Over a long history of understanding and utilizing natural resources, Swat's indigenous peoples have amassed a wealth of traditional knowledge about local plants. Thus, the aim of the present study is to document the ethnobotanical importance of native plants among the different indigenous communities in district Swat. The present study was carried out from 2018 to 2022. Data for the study were collected from approximately 300 informants, ranging in age from 20 to 90 years old, from various villages in seven tehsils within Swat via formal and informal interviews and group discussions. A total of 234 plant species belonging to 74 families were used for various purposes in the area. The most dominant family were the Poaceae (20%), followed by the Rosacea (9%), Fabaceae (5%), Asteraceae (5%), Brassicaceae (3%). The highest number of plants were used as fodder (52%), followed by medicinal (42%), (34 %), fuel wood (25%), ornamental (12%), honeybee (10%), furniture making (8%), agricultural tools (8%), thatching (5%), fencing (4%), and timber were (3%). While leaves were highly used (42%) for medicinal purposes, followed by fruits (19%), shoots (16%), bark (9%), flowers (8%), seed (5%), gum (4%), roots (4%), cones (2%), milky juice (2%), needles (2%), oil (1%), and cob (1%). The majority of plants served multiple functions. Dominant ethnobotanical uses were accounted for as laxatives, purgatives, emollients, fodder, thatching, basket making, fuel wood, sports materials, and agricultural tools. Traditional knowledge of local plants, owned by Swat people, is rich but at risk of being lost among the young generation. It is concluded that the present research will improve the socioeconomic conditions and provide guidelines for the sustainable use of the natural resources of the area.