Abstract

A study of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) was conducted during summer 2009 in the mountainous areas of Kot. The area has the largest pure stand of Chirr pine forest, hosting many economically important MAPs in the region. In this context the present study was conducted with the aims to identify important MAPs species and investigate linkages in the market channel starting from collectors to consumers. Ethnobotanical knowledge of local people was collected through questionnaire and interviews. This was followed by field survey, guided by community members. During the field local habitat and availability of MAPs was recorded. The survey revealed 54 species of plants with high medicinal and ethnobotanical importance. These plant species were used for the curing of different diseases in traditional system of medicines. Generally men had a greater knowledge than women regarding the MAPs of the area. However, the study showed that neither men nor women were aware of the vast array of herbs with medicinal properties that exist in their locality. During the survey it was noted that the trade of MAPs is highly uncoordinated and complex, involving many players. Out of 30 MAPs, only ten species viz: Viola serpens, Berberis lycium, Calotropus procerra, Morchella Spp, Grewia optiva, Caraluma edulis, Acorus calamus, Zanthxyllum armatum, Mentha longifolia, and M. viridis are collected mainly for sale purposes. These species were mostly collected by children and women for supplementary income. It was also observed that the rare and threatened species of MAPs were collected in a highly unsustainable manner, therefore, causing biodiversity loss and depletion of MAPs population. About 10% reduction was claimed on both parameters. At the end of study, the recommendations made included: training in plant identification, sustainable collection, processing, value addition, equitable sharing of benefits of MAPs, trade monitoring and cooperative system of marketing. 

Key words: MAPs, local people, marketing, MAPs knowledge, distribution, collection trend.