Ethnobotanical studies on some useful trees of Astore valley (Gilgit-Baltistan) Pakistan, with particular reference to medicinal uses

An ethnobotanical survey of the Astore valley (Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan) was carried out to collect information regarding the various indigenous uses, particularly the medicinal uses of plants in the valley Thirty-three species of ethnobotanicall important trees belonging to 23 genera and 15 families were recognized as being used in the folk-medicine system for ailments like heart diseases, skin, urinary problems, joint pain, eye diseases and fractured bones etc., and for various other purposes like shelter, and tot constructing houses, furniture, and domestic tools by the indigenous people of the valley. Ethnobotanical information for nine species is being reported for the first time from Astore valley, while for another seven species sonic additional ethnobotanical uses are being reported as compared to those reported by sonic previous workers Common names of species arc provided to the Astori Shina language and English. The highest number of Ethnobotanically important tree species (10) belonged to the family Rosaccae, followed by the family Salicaceae (5 species), and family Pinaceae (4 species). Ninety-nine percent people of the valley depend on the local tree species for timber and tire wood, while partially depend upon medicinal plants for their ailments. Therefore, the plant resources are under threat and should go extinct in near future if any conservation steps arc not taken. During the study, five taxa viz. Pinus gerardiana, Betula utilis, Juniperus excelsa. Fraxinus, xanthoxyloides and Sorbus lanata were recognized as rare in the study area. It was also noticed that the younger people were mostly unaware of the indigenous uses of the local flora. Therefore, immediate steps are needed to conserve both the indigenous knowledge and the plants in the Astore valley.