Medicinal & Aromatic Plant (MAPs) Resources of Gurez Valley: An instrument Towards Traditional Healing Practices

Gurez Valley, situated in the high-altitude landscapes of the Kashmir Himalaya, is renowned for its pristine environment, rich biodiversity, and unique cultural heritage. The valley encompasses a wide range of habitats, including alpine meadows, sub-alpine pastures, riverine ecosystems, and temperate forests, which collectively support a diverse assemblage of medicinal and aromatic plants. For generations, the inhabitants of Gurez have depended upon these natural resources to meet their healthcare needs, developing a rich repository of traditional knowledge on the therapeutic uses of local flora. The valley is home to several high-value medicinal plant species. These species are highly prized in traditional systems of medicine and contribute significantly to rural livelihoods through their medicinal and economic value. However, increasing anthropogenic pressure, unsustainable harvesting practices, habitat degradation, and changing climatic conditions pose serious threats to many of these valuable species. Conservation of medicinal plant diversity, promotion of sustainable harvesting practices, and preservation of traditional knowledge have therefore become critical for safeguarding these resources for future generations. This booklet presents a compilation of important medicinal plants recorded from Gurez Valley, highlighting their local names, traditional uses, and significance in indigenous healthcare systems. It seeks to document and celebrate the ethnobotanical heritage of the region while promoting awareness about the conservation and sustainable utilization of medicinal plant resources.

Subject area

Forestry

Language

English

Keywords

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Gurez, Conservation, Traditional value

People behind the work

Contributors

1. 

   Jauhar RafeeqCorresponding

   Krishi Vigyan Kendra Gurez

2. H

   Hilal Ahmad Malik

   Krishi Vigyan Kendra Gurez

3. S

   Shahida Altaf

   Krishi Vigyan Kendra Gurez

4. M

   Manzoor Ahmad Khatana

   Krishi Vigyan Kendra Gurez

5. R

   Ravi Kumar

   Krishi Vigyan Kendra Gurez

6. T

   Tanzeer Hussain Khan

   imktanzeer@gmail.com