PJB-2021-670
Floristic diversity, Ethnobotany and Conservation issues of Niat Valley District Diamir, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
Nisar Ahmad
Abstract
Current research was conducted to assess and explore present status of plant resources, floral variation and conservation threats in the typical area of the land known as Niat Valley located in district Diamer Gilgit Baltistan Pakistan. The area is familiar because of its wonderful lakes, streams, ponds and high mountains. This present work was the first attempt intended to explore and demonstrate the folk knowledge in the local community of the Niat valley. Far reaching field surveys were conducted during March 2020 to May 2021 and specimens of various plant species belong to diverse families from distinct localities of the study area were collected, dried and pressed for herbarium record in Hazara University Mansehra. A total of 135 plant species belongs to 94 genera and 56 families comprising 9(6.66%) grasses, 90(66.66%) herbs, 12(8.88%) shrubs and 24(17.77%) trees were identified and explored from different localities of Niat valley. Asteraceae is the dominant family having maximum 18(12.59%) plant species and 9 genera, followed by Poaceae with 10(8.88%) species belongs to 9 genera, followed by Polygonaceae and Ranunculaceae with 6(4.44%) species, followed by Cupressaceae, Fagaceae, Lamiaceae, Rosaceae with 4(2.96%) plant species, followed by Berberidaceae, Leguminoseae, Malvaceae, Moraceae, Pinaceae, Salicaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Tamaricaceae and Zygophyllaceae with 3(2.22%) and the rest having only one species. The gathered information were assessed through use value (UV), relative frequency citation (RFC) and fidelity level (FL) of 135 plant species.The most bumptious resortaive plants collected and used in the area are Rheum spiciforme Royle, Thymus linearis Benth., Pinus gerardiana Wall., Anaphalis nepalensis (Spreng.) Hand. -Mazz., Ephedra intermedia Schrenk & C.A.Mey., Bistorta affinis (D.Don), Cichorium intybus L., Bergenia stracheyi (Hook.f. & Thomson) Engl., Rheum webbianum Royle, Podophyllum emodi Wall. ex Hook.f. & Thomson and Aconitum chasmanthum Stapf ex Holmes. Various anthropogenic and natural dangers were noticed generally associated with direct habitat destruction responsible of quick decrease in plant resources. Along with flood and habitat destruction unlawful cutting of trees, overexploitation, overgrazing, and deforestation were potential and ruinous dangers for local floral diversity which request brief protection plans. The native restorative plant species and conventional information of local community of Niat valley were investigated foremost. A thorough study of this area could be important to assess the current information in market and to evolve financial capability of the plant species. The gathered onset information of this study will be beneficial for new researchers in the field of botany, ethno-botany, and pharmacology as well as intensely for biodiversity conservation.
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