Ethnobotanical knowledge among the semi-pastoral Gujjar tribe in the high altitude (Adhwari’s) of Churah subdivision, district Chamba, Western Himalaya

摘要: The wild plants not only form an integral part of the culture and traditions Himalayan tribal communities but also contribute largely to sustenance these communities. people use large varieties fruits, vegetables, fodder, medicinal plants, etc. for meeting their day-to-day requirements. present study was conducted in Churah subdivision district Chamba where populations Muslim Gujjars inhabit various remote villages. These are semi-pastoralists, they seasonally (early summers) migrate upper altitudes (Adhwari’s) along with cattle return permanent settlements before onset winters. A major source subsistence is on natural resources a wide extent, thus, have ethnobotanical knowledge. Therefore, current aimed report knowledge among Gujjar tribe Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. Extensive field surveys were 15 villages dominant population from June 2016 September 2017. area having interrogated especially during stay at higher through well-structured questionnaires, interviews, group meetings. data generated examined using quantitative tools such as value, fidelity, informant consensus factor (Fic). This reveals 83 belonging 75 genera 49 families that observed uses. Plants listed five categories per by Gujjars, i.e. food fruit fodder household, ethnomedicinal plants. leaves, roots most commonly used plant parts preparations. highest number recorded family Rosaceae followed Polygonaceae Betulaceae. On basis value (UV), important Pteridium aquilinum, Juglans regia, Corylus jacquemontii, Urtica dioica, Diplazium maximum, Angelica glauca. Maximum species (32) reported uses (22 species), household purposes (16 edible fruits (15 (14 species). agreement informants conceded (Fic = 0.99), (Fic = 0.98) while it least ethnomedicine (Fic = 0.97). fidelity value varied 8 100% all categories. Phytolacca acinosa (100%), Stellaria media dioica (100%) high level Berberis lycium Prunus armeniaca Rubus ellipticus (100%). Some values Acer caesium, Aesculus indica, Ailanthus altissima, Quercus semecarpifolia. comparison age interval revealed obvious transfer traditional younger generation, mostly concentrated within 60–79 years. Value addition product development can provide alternate livelihood rural people. identification active components may some useful leads new drugs which help well-being mankind. Thus, bioprospection, phytochemical profiling, evaluation economically viable products lead optimum harnessing bioresources this region.