Ethnomedicinal Studies on Wild Medicinal Plants of Yusmarg Valley of District Budgam (Western Himalaya), in Jammu and Kashmir

Yusmarg valley is well known for its temperate vegetation of western Himalaya and located in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir. Medicinal plants are being used frequently by local tribal communities of the area for the treatment of various ailments. This is the first study which has examined the medicinal plant use in Yusmarg valley by local communities. During the study a total of 50medicinal plants belonging to 47 genera and 22 families were recorded to be used for obtaining primary health care by the local tribal communities. Asteraceae was found to be the dominant family with a species contribution of nine species. Most of the species were harvested for leaves (16-species). Herbs (45-species) were the major life form used for medicinal purpose. The issues related to current status of knowledge on medicinal plants used by indigenous communities of J&K have been discussed and it is recommended that this indigenous knowledge which is confined to old age folks only, should be conserved so as to make it available for future generations. In addition, medicinal flora of the area is under great threat due to tourist activities so the conservation is needed on priority basis.