Ethno-veterinary uses of some plants by Gujjar and Bakerwal community in Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, Kashmir Himalaya

The present study documents the ethno-veterinary uses of plant species by the ‘Gujjar’ and ‘Bakerwal’ communities in the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, Kashmir Himalaya. These tribal communities reside inside the Sanctuary during the summer season for livestock grazing. A total of 100 informants selected from representative age groups were interviewed to gather the data on ethno-veterinary uses. In total, 29 species belonging to 25 genera and 21 families have been documented with ethno-veterinary uses. These species include 23 herbs, 3 shrubs, 2 climbers and a single sub-shrub species. These plant species were used for 10 different types of livestock diseases, with majority (i.e.11 species) for alleviating digestive disorders. Different plant parts were used in ethno-veterinary practices, with majority as the aerial part. The documentation of valuable ethno-veterinary information, as carried out during the present study, can be useful for the bio-prospecting of potential plant species and subsequent commercial utilization with equitable benefit sharing among these tribal communities.