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SURVEY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN NORTHERN AREAS

Astore Valley, a Hub of Medicinal Plants in Northern Areas of Pakistan (Present potential, constraints in conservation & future prospects) by Mohammad Ibrahim Khan, WWF-Pakistan, 2004.

Astore valley, a sub-division of Diamer district adjoining the eastern side of Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), is about 120 km long and 5,092 sq. km in area. The entrance of the valley is located about 60 km southeast of Gilgit with four side-valleys. The valley has more than 100 villages with a total population of 71,666 (Census Report 1998). The majority of people practice subsistence agriculture and livestock is the main source of livelihood complemented by seasonal work in down districts of the country.

Due to its diverse landscape and climatic conditions the valley provides excellent habitat for a variety of commercially important medicinal plants.

This paper quotes various studies on medicinal plant surveys and these are as follows:

A detailed medicinal plants’ survey in Astore, Shigar and Khaplu valleys reported 39 medicinally important plants out of which 21 were found in Astore. Similarly another survey found 34 medicinal plants in Bulashbar nallah, Astore whereas 77 medicinal plants were reported from Chilim, Burzil, Minimarg and Deosai in Astore valley in a separate study.

Since the British era until to-date, Astore valley has been the largest exporting area of medicinal plants in Northern Areas. Over-exploitation, free grazing, deforestation, conversion of forest and pastures to other land uses and lack of proper management system are major issues in the conservation of medicinal plants. Compared with forests and wildlife, most medicinal plants are able to give economic return in a shorter term, future prospects to make them sustainable income generators are good through the introduction of suitable participatory management system including marketing.

This paper by Ibrahim Khan seeks to explore the potential of the valley in terms of medicinal plants and identify NGOs willing to work for their promotion and to bring the attention of various stakeholders including herbal industries to the conservation of these valuable but fast deteriorating natural resources.

The medicinal plants reported by all of the above-mentioned works have been compiled in the following table as presented in this paper.

Table 3. Medicinal plants of Northern Areas compiled by Ibrahim Khan, WWF-Pakistan

S# Family Botanical Name Common Name (Urdu) Common Name (English) Local Name (Shina)

1 Berberidaceae Berberis lycium Sumbal Berry Ishkeen, Sumlo, Churku

2 Boraginaceae Chaerophylum acuminatum ---- ------ -------

3 Boraginaceae Arnebia benthami Khary ----- Kazban

4 Boraginaceae Cynoglosum lanceolatum ---- ----- Chirou

5 Boraginaceae Onosma brcateatum Gaozaban ------ Kazban

6 Boraginaceae Ormopterum tuberosum --------------- --------------- ---------------

7 Boraginaceae Myosotis alpes --------- ------ -------

8 Boraginaceae Seseli libanotis ----- ------ -------

9 Brassicaceae Arabis tibeitica ----------- ------------- -------

10 Brassicaceae Capsella bursapastoris ------------- ----------- Budaboudi

11 Brassicaceae Draba oreades ---------- ------------- ----------

12 Brassicaceae Draba winterbottomi ------------- ------------- ----------

13 Brassicaceae Erysimum cachemericum ------------- ------------ ----------

14 Betulaceae Bitula utilis Bhojpatar Birch Jonjii

15 Cupressaceae Juniperus macropoda Sanobar Juniper Chili

16 Cupressaceae Juniperus communis Sanobar Juniper Chili

17 Cupressaceae Juniperus excellsa Sanobar Juniper Chili

18 Compositae Achillea millefolium L. Biranjasif Yarrow Akirkarra

19 Compositae Anaphalis contorta ------ ------ -----

20 Compositae Anaphalis nepalensis ------ ----- Chhikee

21 Compositae Anaphalis nubinega ------ ----- Kuta gas

22 Compositae Anaphalis virigata ------- ------ -------

23 Compositae Artemisia absinthium Afsanteen Wormwood Zhoon

24 Compositae Artemisia brevifolia Afsanteen Wormwood/ Sontonica Zhoon

25 Compositae Artemisia maritima Afsanteen Sontonica Zhoon

26 Compositae Artemisia gmelinii ----- ----- Khakhamu

27 Compositae Artemisia strictaedgew ---- ------ Zhoon

28 Compositae Artemisia tournefortiana ----- ----- Zhoon

29 Compositae Aster spp.

30 Compositae Chicorium intybus Kasney ---- Chity iskanaji

31 Compositae Cricium uvlgare --- Bull thistle Shawkono

32 Compositae Inula rhizocephala

33 Compositae Jurinea macrocephala Gogol Doop

34 Compositae Sassurea albescence

35 Compositae Saussurea lappa Kuth Costus Minaal

36 Compositae Saussurea simpsoniana ---- ----- Bushifonnur

37 Compositae Senecio nudicaulis

38 Compositae Taraxacum officinale Guleikasidi Dandelion ------

39 Ericaceae Rhododendron --------------- ---------------- Talarchum

40 Ephedraceae Ephedra Intermedia Asmani Booti Ephedra Soon

41 Ephedraceae Ephedra gerardiana Asmani Booti Ephedra ----

42 Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia spp. ----- ---- -----

43 Corydolis spp.

44 Gentianaceae Swertia petiolata Mamiran ----- Mumiran

45 Gentianaceae Gentianodes spp ---- ---- ----

46 Gentianaceae Gentiana tianschanica --------------- ---------------- Pamat

47 Gentianaceae Gentiana Kurrooa ----- ------ -------

48 Gentianaceae Geranium Himalayanse -------------- ------------- -------------

49 Grossulariaceae Ribes alpester Angoor-e-frungi Goose berry Choorkani

50 Grossulariaceae Ribes oriental Pulanch ----------- Shato

51 Labiatae Mentha longifolia Jungli Podina Horse Mint Phhileel

52 Labiatae Mentha royelana Jungli Podina Horse Mint Phhileel

53 Labiatae Nepeta spp ------ ------ ------

54 Labiatae Thymus linearis Bin-e-ajuine/ Satar Farsi Wild thyme Tumoro

55 Labiatae Thymus serphyllum Bin-e-ajuine/ Satar Farsi Wild thyme Tumoro

56 Labiatae Lyctopus europueu Jalnim Glipsy wort -------------

57 Liliaceae Allium spp ---------- ---------- -------------

58 Orchidaceae Dactylorhiza hatagirea Salap Marsh orchis Narmada

59 Papilonaceae Astagalus spp ---------- ------------ Hapocho

60 Papilonaceae Medicago sativa Losn ------------- Ishpit

61 Papilonaceae Lotus corniculatus Kowal Birds foot trefoil Ishpit

62 Papilonaceae Melilotus officinalis Asturk ---------- Bisasing

63 Papilonaceae Melilotus alba Asturk ---------- Bisasing

64 Papilonaceae Sophora mollis Argwan ------------ Pushool

65 Papilonaceae Sophora alopecuroides Argwan ------------ Pushool

66 Papilonaceae Trifolium Pratense Chitbatta Purple clover Chapati

67 Pinaceae Abies pindrow ------ Silver fir Byer

68 Pinaceae Pinus wallichiana Kail Blue pine Chir

69 Pinaceae Pinus gerardiana Chalgoza Chalgoza pine Yunji

Source: Ali Jan, 2004. Astore Valley, a hub of medicinal plants in Northern Areas of Pakistan: present potential, constraints in conservation & future prospects. WWF-Pakistan, Jutial, Gilgit.

Astore Distric

Astore is one of the six districts of the Northern Areas of Pakistan.The district contains the Astore Valley and is bounded to the west by Diamer District (from which is was separated in 2004), to the north by Gilgit District,to the east by Skardu District and to the south by North-West Frontier Province, Neelum District of Azad Kashmir. According to the 1998 census of Pakistan the population was 71,666.

Sub Divisions

• Harcho

• Bunji

• Choungrah

• Louze

• Chilm

• Dashkin

• Douan

• Eidgah

• Fina

• Gorikot

• Gudai(its Great)

• Gurais

• Minimarg

• Mirmalik

• Pakora

• Parishing

• Qamri

• Rahman Pur

• Rama

• Rattu

• Shodas

• Tarashing

• Zian

• Zilla Bala

• Nasir Abad (Qamri)

• Nasir Abad (Zilla Bala)

Astore Valley

Is located in Astore District in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. The valley is located at 35°2'20.30"N , 75°6'36.91"E at an altitude of 2600m. The best time to visit is May to October. The valley, adjoining the eastern side of Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), is about 120 km long and 5,092 km² in area. The entrance of the valley is located about 60 km southeast of Gilgit with four side-valleys. The valley has more than 100 villages with a total population of 71,666 (Census 1998. Some of which are Chilm, Bubin, Gorikot, Eid Ghah, Fina, Bulen, Chongra and Tari Shing. Chilm is the most beautiful village among all the villages of Astore, because it is the starting point of Deosai, the world's second highest plane. The majority of people practice subsistence agriculture and livestock is the main source of livelihood complemented by seasonal work in down districts of the country. Due to its diverse landscape and climatic conditions the valley provides excellent habitat for a variety of commercially important medicinal plants.

Popular Attractions

Astor lie at the junction of several mountain routes, providing ample and varied trekking opportunities, including many short walks through this beautiful area. Tracks head eastwards from the Bulashbar area, up towards the wild but beautiful Deosai Mountains and Plains. To the north west, a trekking route leads to the Muthat Pass and continues on to Fairy Meadow. In the southwest, Rupal valley provides numerous opportunities for short and long treks. Rama lake is a must see!

Accessibility

Astore is connected to Gilgit which is well connected by air with Islamabad(weather dependent) and by road with Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Skardu and Chitral. You can take a flight to Gilgit from the capital of the country and drive to Astore from Gilgit on metalled road.

History

According to the Gazetteer of India, around 1600:

Ghāzī Mukhpun, a Persian adventurer, is said to have married a princess of the Skārdu reigning family. The four sons born of this union became Rās of Skārdu, Astor, Rondu, and Kharmang respectively, and from them are descended the families of the present chiefs of those places. The independence of Astor ceased at the Dogra conquest.

Climate

Astore valley has a moderate climate during summer. In winter it can snow up to 6 inches (15 cm) in the main valleys and up to 2–3 feet (60–90 cm) in the mountains. In Mirmalik valley it snows up to 6 feet in February.

Languages

The main language spoken in the valley is Shina (also known as Tshina) Urdu, which is the National language of Pakistan, is the second most frequently spoken language. Since Astore has a history of modest tourist traffic in the summer months, local guides and police in Tarashing or Astore may speak some English.

Transport

There were some negative perceptions in past due to rough mode of transport but nowadays there are paved roads connecting Gilgit and Islamabad through the Karakorum Highway. Landslides and rockfall may be an issue in some areas of the Indus Valley. There is a permanent road through Gilgit as well as seasonal road access via Deosai Plateau to Skardu. Here you can obtain all types of vehicles (Jeeps, taxis, wagons, SUVs) and hire jeeps and SUVs at affordable prices. The most used vehicles are Jeeps and SUVs with a local preference for Pajeros and Landcruisers. In north area Astori Majority people speak a Urdu

Places of interest

Astore lies about the massive base of Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest peak in the world. To the south of the Nanga Parbat massif lies Rama Valley, which is home to Rama Lake, with basic facilities for visitors. It has a hotel called the PTDC, constructed by the government of Pakistan. Astore valley is a unique area for tourists to visit, surrounded by the high peaks of the far western Himalaya. Nearby peaks include Nanga Parbat, Shaigiri, Rupal Peak, Chongra Peak and Laila Peak (Rupal Valley). Astore Valley ascends from the Indus River Valley near Jaglot, Pakistan.

Deosai plains are the highest plateau in himalayas and are most picturesque with a bowl shapped lake ,wild flowers,and a habitat of brown bear.The easiest route from Astore is via, Gorikot,Gudai ,Chilum and then a track leads to this area with little steep hike.Its been declared a Natural park ,a special status to preserve its fora and fauna.

Astore River

Shigar River joins the Indus on the right bank near Skardu in Baltistan. Farther downstream the Gilgit River is another right-bank tributary, joining it at Bunji. A short distance downstream the Astor River, running off the eastern slope of Nanga Parbat, joins as a left-bank tributary. The Indus then flows west and turns south and southwest to enter the North-West Frontier Province of...

By Ali Jan