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Abstract

Present studies were carried out to investigate ethnobotanical profile of Utror and Gabral. The twin valleys are located in the remote northwestern part of District Swat. The area is gifted with diverse and unique flora as it is adjacent to the confluence point of Himalayas, Hindu Kush and Karakorum. The people are mostly poor, illiterate and depend upon plant resources for their domestic needs. The inhabitants of Utror and Gabral utilize 176 plant species for more than 42 domestic needs. Based on their type of usage, the major usage types include 133 medicinal plants, 29 fuel wood species, 33 fodder species, 24 vegetables and pot herbs, 18 veterinary medicinal plants, 19 fruit yielding plants, 16 spices and condiments, 8 for construction and timber requirements, 10 ornamental plant species and 8 used as mouth wash (Maswak). Other miscellaneous uses of plants include aesthetics sense (1 species), anti lice (2 sp.), agricultural tools (8 sp.), thatching and roofing (5 sp.), baskets making (2 sp.), brooms (2 sp.), bridges (3 sp.), cosmetics (3 sp.), dye (2 sp.), dish cleaner (2 sp.), home decoration (2 sp.), feed (1 sp.), fencing (10 sp.), fish poison (2 sp.), furniture (8 sp.), honey bee attractant (8 sp), match industry (2 sp.), mythological use (6 sp.), naming (9 sp.), narcotic (3 sp.), oil (3 sp.), packing material (2 sp.), poisonous plants (6 sp.), ropes (2 sp.), anti snake and scorpion bite (5 sp.), soil binder (1 sp.), sticks/handles (3 sp.), snuff ash (1 sp.), shade tree (3 sp.), sport tools (1 sp.), tea (1 sp.) and utensil making (3 sp.). Most of the plants are used for multiple purposes. Some plants are also sold in the local markets, thus providing an additional source of income.

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