ETIINOBOTANY, BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION STATUS OF FLORA OF SOON VALLEY PUNJAB SALT RANGE

Abstract

Salt Range is one of the major ecological zones of the Punjab province, and the Soon Valley is heart of this ecosystem. Ethno botany, biodiversity and conservation status of flora of Soon Valley was explored in Soon Valley, District Khushab of Punjab Province. Soon Valley area has undergone to major climatic and environmental changes due to which its flora and fauna have seriously affected. Deforestation, forest fires and grazing, non sustainable harvesting of the flora is responsible for the loss and decline of the indigenous knowledge .Different techniques were used for data collection these include field survey ,interview, focus group discussion and questionnaire. Nine villages of Soon Valley, Ugali, Chitta, Chaper Sharif, Ucchali, Angha, Dhadhar, Khura, Chinji and Nowshera were selected for documentation of the indigenous knowledge. The study was aimed to collect folk recipes of medicinal plants at village level and other ethno botanical uses of the plants, along with local myths. Marketing, social structure of local peoples, local men, women and children were identified plant collectors. Fifty six diseases are cured in study villages through medicinal plants, while 102 plant species are used for medicinal purposes in Chitta Village. 46 in Ugali Village, 82 in Dhadhar Village, 44 in Ucchali Village, 38 in Chinj i Village. 50 in Khura Village and 42 in Nowshera Village in different recipes. 13 different plant parts including seeds, Root, Bark, leaves, Branches, fruit, whole plant, husk, Latex, Pulp, flowers and ash are used for medicinal purposes. 50 different plant species are used in Ethno veterinary medicine. 34 different major ethno botanical uses of the plants have also been identified. Conservation status of the flora was also part of study using IUCN Red Data categories and modified criteria, and flora was classified which include 34 species critically endangered, 16 as endangered,