FLORISTIC COMPOSITION OF NAGAR VALLEY GILGIT BALTISTAN, PAKISTAN WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON MEDICINAL PLANTS

Abstract

Being rich in medicinal plant resource traditional herbal remedies have been utilized in Nagar valley since ancient times and have
gained large acceptance throughout the country. Plant resources of Gilgit Baltistan are used for the aliment of different health issues
viz., blood pressure, stomach disorder, diabetes, asthma, jaundice, and against kidney stone. Floristic appraisal with special
emphasis on medicinal and traditional use based on indigenous knowledge has been focused in this study. Quadrat method was
used for phytosociological analysis. Floristic composition I was derived with the help of Importance Value Index (IVI), Two Way
Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN) and Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) in PCORD (ver: 5.0). The medicinal
usage of plant species was documented by conducting a survey through questionnaires and interviews. Four ecological zones viz.,
Agro-ecological zone, Dry rocky mountainous zone, Subtropical/desert zone and Sub-alpine zone were identified on the basis of
altitude and floristic compositions. A total of 42 species from 24 plant families were recorded. It showed the importance of the
Compositae family (eight species) followed by Rosaceae family (six species) as an important remedial sources for curing digestive
and rheumatic problems, blood pressure, and respiratory disorders. Our findings indicate that many plants are being used
excessively as remedial source to cure various diseases. This has put pressure on plant resource bringing them under threat. People
lack of knowledge, overgrazing and climate change are also major drivers.