Ethnobotanical Profile of Utror and
Muhammad Hamayun1, Sumera
Afzal Khan2, Ilyas Iqbal3, Gohar Rehman4,
Tariq Hayat5 and Mir Ajab Khan6
¹College of Agriculture
and Life Sciences,
²Centre of Biotechnology,
4Govt
5GIK
Institute, District
6Department of
Biological Sciences,
E-mail:
hamayun73@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Present studies were
carried out to investigate ethnobotanical profile of Utror and Gabral. The twin
valleys are located in the remote north western part of District Swat. The area
is gifted with diverse and unique flora as it is adjacent to the confluence
point of Himalayas,
Key words: Ethnobotanical profile, Utror and Gabral, Hindu
Kush-Himalays, Traditional medicine, District Swat
INTRODUCTION
1. Utror and
Utror valley is
situated between 35° 20′ to 35° 48′ N latitudes and 72° 12′
and 72° 32′ E longitudes. The population of Utror is 6888 and the area of
the valley is about 47400 hectares. Utror valley is surrounded by Gabral and Bhan valleys on the east, upper
Dir district on the west, Kalam valley on the south and and Gabral valley on
the north. It is 15 km from Kalam, the centre of Swat Kohistan. The altitude of
the valley at Utror proper is 2300 meters and reaches to 2900 meters at
Gabral valley lies
between 35° 20′ to 35° 48′ N latitudes and 72° 12′ and 72°
32′ E longitudes over an area of about 38733 hectares. The population of
Gabral is 3238. The valley is surrounded by Chitral District in the north,
Utror valley in the south and south west, upper Dir district in the west and
Bhan and Mahodand valleys in the east. It is 5 kms distant from Utror proper
and 20 kms from Kalam. The altitude of the valley ranges from 2580 metres at
Baila to 5160 metres at
Both Utror and Gabral
valleys are parts of Swat Kohistan. Kohistan means land of mountains in Persian
language. There are three areas under the name Kohistan. These include
1.1 Physical
Geography
The valleys of Utror
and Gabral lie in the Hindukush mountain ranges but climatically they resemble
the bordering Himalayan mountain range. The
The area occupies a
unique location as it is present at the confluence of
1.2 People
§
Kohistanis
(Utroris)
The people of Utror and some parts of Gabral are called kohistanis as they belong to the Kohistani Dard tribe. The kohistanis are the main land owner group. The Kohistanis are believed to be the remains of the previous occupant tribes of the main Swat valley before the invasions of Pukhtoons. The kohistanis seldom migrate along with their families to the lower areas. All kohistanis are believed to be of the same ethnic origin. The kohistanis are the main ethnic group of the Kalam tehsil. They inhabit Kalam, Utror, Ushu and adjoining areas of Dir kohistan like Thal, Lamuti, Kalkot etc. The population of kohistanis are estimated to be 60,000 to 70,000 in Swat and Dir District. The kohistanis are the land owners and share holders of the forest. Some kohistanis tribes also live on the eastern bank of river Indus but they are different from those of tehsil Kalam as their language is more like that of people of northern areas and Kashmir.
§
Gujars
Gujars are the major
ethnic group of Gabral valley. They also own lands in Gabral but got no share
in forest revenues. The Gujars living in the area are actually a part of the
strong and influential Gujar tribe which reside in
different parts of
§
Ajars
The Ajars do not own lands and spend nomadic way of life. They lease grasslands from Utroris for their herds during summer season. In winter they migrate to lower warmer areas of Swat and Dir kohistan. They also work as peasants in Utror and Gabral.
1.3 Women
Status
The women living in twin valleys lead a miserable life as they are considered inferior to men. The women are almost 100 % illiterate and have no right in decision making affairs. Women are working very hard from morning to night. Women take care of the children, cook, clean, washing, stitch clothes, collect fuel wood, cut grass, fetch water, rear livestock and assist their men in farming activities. A girl has to accept her parent’s decision in the choice of partner for marriage. In some cases the girls are also sold. This traditional male domination can be countered with education and awareness, but this is not an easy task as the area still got no single functioning girls school, as local population is opposed to such activities.
1.4 History
The predecessors of the kohistani speaking people are most likely the same as the Gawri, who inhabited the lower more fertile parts of district Dir from the days of Alexander the Great. In 11th century A.D. the area was conquered by the forces of Mehmud of Ghazna and the indigenous population was thus forced to flee to the remote and inhospitable upper mountains. Local traditions confirm that from there groups of Gawri settlers crossed the mountain passes in to Utror, Kalam and Ushu valleys which are now parts of District Swat, while the rest remained in the upper Panjkora valley of district Dir.
During 14th century
A.D. the Yousafzai tribe of Pukhtoons attacked the lower parts of Swat and Dir
districts forcing the already resident Pukhtoons to flee to the upper parts of
Swat and Panjkora valley. Under the influence of these new immigrants,
Kohistanis converted to Islam, probably in 15th or 16th century (Baart, 1997).
As the new immigrants belong to
The kohistanis enjoyed
large degree of political independence for many centuries. After independence
of
The residents of Utror and Gabral still enjoy semi independent status as the Government is unable to exert her direct and efficient control due to its remoteness and partly because of local traditions and tribal system. The administration does not enjoy enough influence and authority in the area and the tribal traditions still take precedence over official Pakistani law.
1.5 Socio-economic Conditions
The people of Gabral and Utror are poor and the area is highly underdeveloped. Local people are primarily farmers or tenants. They also rear livestock. Some thirty years back, potato was introduced as cash crop in the area. Its cultivation was soon started in the area on commercial basis. Potato produced in the area during summer season provides back bone of local economy as it is exported to different parts of the country. Now a days two crops of potato are taken annually. Beside potatoes, turnip and cabbage are the other notable cash crops of the area. Maize crop, beans and peas are also cultivated in the area.
Fruits are also exported from the area. These include apples and walnuts. Some people collect medicinal plants and morels and sell it in local markets, thus earning their live hood. The people also get their share in forest revenues from the government.
During winter
(December, January and February) season all activities stops due to heavy snow
fall and the area comes under a thick blanket of snow. Locals travel to
Mingora,
In late 80’s there has been an explosive growth of tourism in Kalam. There are more than 150 hotels in Kalam presently. Tourism greatly improved the socioeconomic conditions of the area by providing job opportunities to local people. Local people work in hotels and restaurants, work as guides and jeep drivers, while some has opened shops in Kalam. In Kalam, most of the hotels are owned by outsiders and as a result most of the profit from tourism leaves the area.
1.6 Health and
Education
The area is also far behind in health and education sectors from the rest of the district Swat as the government is not paving attention to these basic and most important human requirements. There is only one government dispensary in Utror and one basic health unit (BHU) in Gabral. Even at these two centres most of the pertinent staff remains absent and life saving drugs are often not available. People thus carry their patients to Kalam or Mingora. Large numbers of patients die on their way to Kalam and Mingora as the roads are either absent or in very bad condition due to land sidings and snow cover.
Literacy rate is very low in Utror and Gabral. The literacy rate of Utror and Gabral is 19.2 % and 17.7 % respectively (District Census Report, 1998). There is one high school (Utror) and twelve boy’s primary school in the twin valleys. For girls, one middle school and a primary school are present. One school is also opened in Utror in private sector. In government schools due to lack of teaching staff and facilities, the quality of education is second to none. The girls schools are also in desperate condition in Utror and Gabral. Poor economic conditions and traditional mindset also resulted in low literacy rate in the area.
1.7 Languages
§
Kalam
Kohistani
Kalam kohistani or
simply kohistani language is spoken in entire Utror valley and some villages of
Gabral valley. Kohistani is one of about two dozen languages that are spoken in
the mountain areas of northern
Pashto is the
predominant language of lower Swat up to the town of
Kohistani speaking area in Swat is divided in to three major clusters of villages, eah named after its principal village. The lower cluster is Kalam proper; up from Kalam there is the Utror cluster in the west and Ushu cluster in the northeast. The dialects of these clusters are somewhat different but all three are very much the same language (Baart, 1997). In upper parts of Dir Kohistan, the same kohistani language is spoken in Thal, lamuti, Barikot, Biar, Kalkot and Patrak villages.
§
Gujro
The Gujars and Ajars speak Gujro or Gujri language. The Gujri is very close to Punjabi language indicating their close ethnic relations with the Gujars of Punjab. Gujri grammatically resemble North Indian Prakrat group of languages, however it has borrowed most of the nouns from Pushto language.
§
Pashto
Virtually all men and lesser number of women speak Pashto as a second language in Utror and Gabral valleys. Pashto in reality is lingua franca of district Swat.
1.8 Major
Species Composition and
In any area the composition of species greatly depends upon altitudinal variations, northern and southern aspects, slope gradient and soil conditions. Natural happenings like fire and avalanches and human activities also greatly shape the species composition of an area.
In Utror and Gabral, 15928 hectare of land is under forests. In these forests, Abies pindrow Royle (Chokar) is the dominant species comprising 58% of the standing volume, followed by Picea smithiana (Wall.) Boiss. (Rawn) comprising 20%, Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex. Lambert) G. Don (Loo) comprising 14% and Pinus wallichiana A. B. Jackson (Peeuch) comprising 8% respectively among the coniferous species (Stucki and Khan, 1999).
The vegetation of this dry temperate zone can be classified in to
1. Scrub and broad leaved forests
2. Blue pine forests
3. Abies and Picea forests
4. Open pasture land
1.9 Forest
ownership in Kalam Kohistan
Forests in Kalam kohistan are divided among three dominant communities of Kalamis, Utroris and Ushuwals of the same ethnic origin as per already established tribal system. The boundaries, not yet demarcated are known to all the concerned communities. However there are still some disputes between the Kalamis and Utroris on the ownership of some areas in Desan forest. Decision to this effect is still pending in the court.
Every community is entitled to allow grazing facilities to nomadic Ajars in their own forests on payment and the revenues thus obtained is distributed among the community members by their elders called Maliks.
1.9.1 Distribution
of Royalty
According to legislation, 60 % of the sale value of forest in Kalam kohistan is paid to the local right holders as royalty. Every community gets the royalty of its own forest and further distribution is made among the tribes of every community according to their own internal distribution system.
1.9.2 Present
Internal Distribution System in Utrori Community
The Utrori community resides in Utror valley and some parts of Gabral valley. The royalty from the forest revenues is first divided in to two big tribes, Narrat and Darakhel equally. Distribution of forest revenues among the tribesmen is made on the basis of equal share for each male.
Share of Narrat is then equally distributed among three sub sects of Narrat namely, Sangerkhel, Langerkhel and Jogarkhel. Share of Darakhel is equally divided among four sub sects of Darakhel. These are, Jalator, Funderkhel, Ushugi and Chara.
1.9.3 People who are
not entitled for Getting Royalty
People who migrated
from other areas and permanently settled in Utor and Gabral are not considered
to be the bonafide residents and therefore they do not get any share in
royalty. Families migrated from
More over, the person entitled for royalty can sell his share and after that he is no more entitled to get royalty. Further more, those who have sold their share to people of their own community, are not deprived of rights other than royalty. They can graze their live stock in forest; collect fire wood and free grant of local quota of trees etc. The purchaser gets only the share of royalty.
1.10 Climate
The area has a typical dry temperate zone climate. The winter season is very cold and as a result most residents o the upper parts migrate to lower areas along their live stock. These migrants return on the onset of spring. The coldest months are December, January and February during which snow falls are frequent. The valleys remain under snow cover for about four months. The snow started melting in March. June, July and August are the hottest months of the year while during September and October, the climate is very pleasant. Rains are received in large amounts during March and April. The summer and autumn are relatively dry seasons.
Mean annual maximum temperature is 61.9 °F.
Mean annual minimum temperature is 39.37 °F.
Mean annual snow fall is 331.01 cms.
Mean annual rain fall is 52.43 cms. (Stucki and Khan, 1999)
1.11 Rivers and
Streams
Utror river is the main
2. ETHNOBOTANY
John Harshberger used the term ethnobotany for the first time in 1896, to study the plants used by the primitive and aboriginal people. Since then it has been defined as the traditional knowledge of indigenous communities about surrounding plant diversity and as the study of how the people of a particular culture and region make use of indigenous plants. Ethnobotany includes all sorts of relationships between people and plants. The definition of ethnobotany can be sum up in four words i.e. People, Plants, Interactions and Uses. "Ethnobotany is the study of how the people of a particular culture and region makes the use of indigenous plants", while the ethnobotanist explores how plants are used s food, shelter, medicine, clothing, hunting and in religious ceremonies. It is the science, which studies "the relationship between a given society and its environment and in particular the plant world".
Ethnobotany moved on the understanding of knowledge systems through the use of anthropological methods and the work of Conklin (1954, 1957) who coined the word ‘ethno sciences’, and the work of the famous anthropologist Levi Strauss (1962) which highlighted the structural relationships between each society and its environment, followed by the work of many other anthropologists such as Berlin et al. (1974) and Ford (1978). Further avenues were explored by other researchers who began to develop quantitative methods for estimating amounts of products used, the distribution of useful species, or the relative importance of different values of products to people (Prance et al., 1987; Phillips and Gentry, 1993 a and b; Caballero, 1992; Hoft et al., 1999). Besides developing quantitative methods, ethnobotany has moved towards a wider approach, including other aspects of the natural world. Ethnobotanists quite often identify themselves more and more as ethnobiologists because these disciplines offer more opportunities to analyse human interactions with the overall environment as well as people’s relation to external factors such as the impact of trade systems on local economies and ways of life (Lama et al., 2002).
In the last 100 years, the science of ethnobotany has progressed and the trend is shifting from mere documentation process to a more practical one which emphasize on conservation and sustainable use of plant resources.
2.1. Applied
Ethnobotany
Early ethnobotanical work and indeed much even today was often purely descriptive, concerned primarily with making lists of plants used for various purposes, together with their local names. Such study has been of little direct use for conservation or rural development.
In applied ethnobotany, the core subjects are practical problems related to conservation and sustainable use of plant resources, including the pressure imposed by trade on medicinal plants and the right of communities to use plant resources in protected areas.
The two fundamental strengths of applied ethnobotany are
§ To allow the knowledge, wisdom and practices of local people to play fuller roles in identifying and finding solutions to issues of conservation and sustainable development.
§
Local people are fundamentally involved in all
stages of research and practical follow-up, so there is a better chance of “buy
in” and more robust solutions (
2.2 Status of
Ethnobotany in
The northern areas of Pakistan with unique biodiversity due to the presence of Himalayas, Karakorums and Hindu-kush mountain ranges are under tremendous pressure from locals because of illicit cutting of valuable plants, poor collection and storage methods of medicinal plants, smuggling of timber wood, over grazing, corrupt forest officials, illiterate population with no sense or lust for conservation and above all passive and non practical policies of government as well as NGO’s working in the area (Hamayun et al., 2003).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Present study was carried out during April 2001 to April 2004. During this time the project area was visited once a month for collection of data pertinent to ethnobotany, conservation and plant diversity of the area. Each study trip was well planned and executed effectively.
The research project was completed in three phases. These include literature collection, field trips for data collection and documentation of the data obtained from Utror and Gabral.
Field Work
A. Observations
This method is based on observations in the field conditions. These observations were made while visiting different villages. During this process, local methods of medicinal plants collection, storage, drying, harvesting time, processing and utilization were observed and noted. In the mean time all the plants during flowering/fruiting stage, were collected, pressed and preserved.
B. Interviews
During field work, interviews were conducted with the local inhabitants, selected informants, the herbalists ‘hakims’ (local physicians of eastern system of medicine), pansaries (medicinal plants sellers in the local markets). Questionnaires were adopted during the surveys in order to get qualitative and participatory approach about the plant resources and their utilization by the local people (Annexure 1). Questions concerning the utility of different plants, quantity of plants used, rate of consumption, availability, economics/market value and fuel wood /fodder head loads had been asked.
·
Ethnobotany
The plants of ethnobotanical importance were collected and classified on the basis of their utility in the area. Local people including plant collectors and other on the basis of age group were interviewed for ethnobotanical information of the area. The timings for field work were selected according to the growth and collection season of the plants. Population size and its distribution, languages, ethnic affiliation, history of settlement, major social groups or classes, productive activities, subsistence crops, migration trends etc. were also explored during the field work.
RESULTS
The result shows that
the inhabitants of Utror and Gabral for various domestic needs utilize 176 plant
species belonging to 66 families. These
ethnobotanically valued plant species include Dicotyledons (148 sp.),
Monocotyledons (14 sp.), Gymnosperms (8 sp.), Pteridophytes (3 sp.), Fungi (2
sp.) and Algae (1 sp.). The dicotyledons
include 54 plant families of which Asteraceae (15 sp.), Lamiaceae (10
sp.), Rosaceae (11 sp.), Ranunculaceae (8 sp.),
Solanaceae (7 sp.) and Apiaceae (5 sp.) were the most represented
families. The
monocotyledons comprised 5 families; family Alliaceae (3 sp.), family
Araceae (2 sp.), family Dioscoraceae (1 sp.), family Liliaceae (4 sp.) and
family Poaceae (4 sp.). Gymnosperms were represented
by 3 families, Ephedraceae (2 sp.), Pinaceae (4 sp.) and Juniperaceae (2 sp.). Pteridophytes were represented by 2
families namely Adiantaceae (2 sp.) and Pteridaceae
(1 sp). Fungi and Algae were represented by 1 family each i.e. Helveliaceae (2
sp.) and Cladophoraceae (1 sp.) respectively (Table 3).
Most of these potential plant species exhibit multiple
uses. The multi purpose plants include Indigofera heterantha Wall. ex Brand (9 local uses), Juglans regia L. and Abies pindrow Royle (8 uses), Olea ferruginea Royle, Punica granatum L., Morus alba L. and Morus
nigra L. (7 uses each), Pinus wallichiana A. B. Jackson, Quercus dilatata Royle, Ficus carica L. Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex Lambert) G. Don. (6 uses each), while Rosa moschata J. Herm., Prunus domestica L., Coriandrum sativum L., Buxus wallichiana Baill, Allium cepa L. and Aesculus indica (Wall. ex Cambl.) H. K.f.
showed 5 different local uses each.
Some major uses of potential plant species of Utror and Gabral are discussed in detail.
1. Medicinal Plants of Utror and Gabral
Plants provide a major source of medicine in the area and bulk of the population still relies on medicinal plants for curing different ailments. Present study includes 133 medicinal plants, which make 75.56 percent of the total plant species used in the area for different purposes.
Some important
medicinal plants collected and used in the area are Berberis lycium, Bergenia ciliata, Podophyllum emodi, Colchicum luteum,
Dioscoria deltoidea, Viola biflora, Viola canescens, Viola betonicifolia,
Pistacia integrrima, Paeonia emodi, Rheum australe, Aconitum hetrophyllum,
Valeriana jatamansi, Acorus calamus, Bistorta
amplexicaulis, Achillea millefolium, Bunium
persicum, Ephedra gerardiana, Galium aparine, Sorbaria tomentosa and Thymus linearis.
2. Fodder and Forage Species
Fodder is one of the most important commodities in the area and due to its extensive use, its availability become scarce in the area especially in the winter and early spring season. Present study shoed that 33 plant species are used as fodder and forage, which make 18.75 % of the total ethnobotanically valued flora. Some of these are Apluda mutica, Cymbopogon stracheyi, Cynodon dactylon, Dicanthium annulatum, Galium aparine, Hedera nepalensis, Lathyrus sp., Medicago polymorpha etc. Livestock substantially contributes to the regional economy and especially it is essential for subsistence of the poor segments of the society. People of Utror and Gabral valley rear livestock for milk, Desi Ghee and whey production. In summer season, the livestock consisting of cows, buffaloes and sheep are taken in to upper parts of the valleys. The local have made mud and stone huts in the upper reaches of their respective valleys (Locally called Baanda), where some members of the family spent the summer season along their livestock. During the whole season they graze their livestock in the pastures and cut grass for later use during the harsh winter season when the area is covered with snow.
As a result of extensive potato cultivation, fast growing population and decreasing migrations to the plains during winter season, the demand for fodder is on the rise, where as the productivity of the pastures seems to be decreasing as a result of overgrazing. It is obvious that such a fatal development can be gradually changed by an integral approach.
2.1 Fodder Trees
The open forest and pastures lands nearby the lower forest boundary are suitable sites for plantation of fodder trees. Thus a gradual creation of a belt of fodder trees could also help to minimize the conflicting zone between agricultural lands and forests. However, such activities will be only successful if fully supported by local population.
·
Sub-Alpine
Pastures
These pastures are of permanent nature, found in scattered, less steep patches with in the forest belt up to 9,000 feet. Overgrazing and lack of water have led to a general predominance of weeds, where as good fodder plants are mostly small in size and confined to water courses. However, their presence indicates a considerable potential for improvements under proper management i.e. regular irrigation and controlled rotational grazing.
·
Alpine
Pastures
The alpine pastures cover large areas of several hundred hectares partly below and partly above the tree line. Tree line is not a clear demarcation between forests and pastures land as in this area the concept of a consolidated tree line is not applicable. The tree line comprise of mainly over mature and mature trees. The altitude of tree line is continuously on fall because of overgrazing and unfavorable climatic changes prevalent in the area since a decade. However, the existing tree line performs a vital protection function for the pastures against drought and erosion. The lower part of pastures is covered by weeds under which the soil remains almost bare during the months of October and November. This barren soil is always subjected to soil erosion. Extensive grazing and lack of water are assumed to be the prime reasons for this development. There is still some scope of improvement through implementing rotational grazing, watering of the better areas, plantation of shelter belts and fences etc.
4. Fuel Wood
Consumption of Utror and Gabral
The result showed that 29 plant species (16.47%) are used as fuel wood in the area. The major fuel wood species include Cedrus deodara, Quercus dilatata, Pinus wallichiana, Abies pindrow, Picea smithiana, Taxus baccata, Juglans regia, Malus pumila, Populus alba, Aescules indica and Viburnum cotinifolium. However Cedrus deodara, Quercus dilatata and Pinus willichiana is under immense fuel wood pressure as bulk of the population use these three plants for their fuel wood requirements. In summer season (from April to October) the pressure on the forest for fuel wood is comparatively lesser because locals do not need wood for heating their houses.
5. Timber Wood and Construction Species
During the present study it was observed that 8 plant species (4.54%) are utilized in the area for timber and construction purpose. The most important of these are Cedrus deodara, Abies pindrow Royle, Pinus wallichiana, Picea smithiana and Quercus baloot.
Local Timber Quota
The quota for timber has been fixed some 25 years ago on the basis of the then population. However, in the present scenario when population have increased, winter migration have decreased and construction of hotels and motels are on rise due to increased tourism, this quota is by far too low. This has greatly caused illicit tree felling in the area and this trend will continue until the increase in the local quota for timber.
5.1 Construction
Material
Most of the settlements in Utror and Gabral valley are made up of stones and mud, with supporting woods inside. The people live a semi-nomadic life style and their houses vary according to the prevailing conditions and duration of stay. Wood is used lavishly in the construction of houses. Traditionally the houses in the area has the same basic plan of roofing i.e. a layer of fine bushes and herbs just below the clay cover, a layer of branches from trees, a layer of small cross beams and large beams supporting the roof.
6. Vegetables
and Pot herbs
The people of Utror and Gabral are poor as the area is remote and backward. People mainly depend upon different vegetables for their food requirements. These vegetables are used both in fresh and cooked form. It was estimated that 24 plant species that comprise 13.63% of the utility plants, are used as vegetables and potherbs in the area. The most frequently used vegetables are Malva sylvestris Wall. , Allium cepa L., Allium sativum L., Brassica campestris L. var. rapa, Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis, Amaranthus viridis L., Lathyrus aphaca L., Salvia lanata Roxb. Rumex chalepensis Mill and Solanum tuberosum L. Old women and young girls both from the field and wild collect these vegetables.
Malva sylvestris locally called samchal is the prime vegetable of the area. It is cultivated in small patches outside residential homes during summer. This vegetable is used throughout the year by both rich and poor people of Utror and Gabral. Samchal is dried and kept for use in winter season.
7. Veterinary
Medicine
Plants are used for
curing various veterinary diseases in the area from time immemorial. Present
study revealed that 18 plant species (10.22%) are used as veterinary medicine.
Some of these are Thymus linearis, Andrachne cordifolia, Stellaria media,
Skimmia laureola, Rheum australe, Polygonatum verticilatum, Bistorta amplexicaulis, Nasturtium
officinale, Cardamine macrophylla and Bergenia
ciliata.
For instance the dried rhizome of Bergenia ciliata
is crushed to powder form and mixed with wheat flour, boiled in water and then
given to cow, goat and sheep for curing diarrhea.
8.