Indigenous Knowledge and Perception of Local People towards Biodiversity Conservation in Rajouri District of Jammu and Kashmir, India

Qamer Ridwan, Zishan Ahmad Wani, Mohd Hanief (), Shreekar Pant (), Ali Asghar Shah, Sazada Siddiqui and Saad Alamri
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Qamer Ridwan: Applied Ecology Lab, Department of Botany, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri 185234, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Zishan Ahmad Wani: Conservation Ecology Lab, Department of Botany, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri 185234, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Mohd Hanief: Applied Ecology Lab, Department of Botany, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri 185234, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Shreekar Pant: Centre for Biodiversity Studies, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri 185234, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Ali Asghar Shah: School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri 185234, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Sazada Siddiqui: Department of Biology, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
Saad Alamri: Department of Biology, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 4, 1-14

Abstract: Plant resources have been used by humans for their wellbeing for ages. Tribal communities live in far flung areas in close proximity with forests and have a rich cultural heritage and traditional knowledge of forest resources. The present study was carried out in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir to document the traditional knowledge of plant usage and local perception towards biodiversity conservation. A total of 86 informants were selected through non-probability sampling using a convenience sampling method based on easy access, availability and relevance of informants. During the present study, a total of 92 plant species belonging to 85 genera and 57 families were recorded. Fabaceae and Rosaceae were found to be dominant families. In terms of growth forms, herbaceous species were dominant, followed by trees. Leaves were the most common parts used, followed by fruits. These plant species are used for different purposes such as medicine, edibles, fodder and dye making. A number of plant species were found to be multipurpose in use. Most of the documented plant species are collected by local people from the wild. Local people perceived that the populations of many species, such as Dolomiaea costus, Dioscorea deltoidea and Dolomiaea macrocephala , have declined in recent decades. Climate change, urbanization, deforestation, pollution, overexploitation and species invasion are some of the major threats to biodiversity perceived by the local people. Therefore, the establishment of protected areas and cultivation of wild species are recommended to safeguard forest wealth of the area. Furthermore, mass awareness and cooperation-building programs are highly recommended so that locals can enthusiastically participate in conservation and management programs.

Keywords: biodiversity; traditional knowledge; plant bioresources; local perception; conservation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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