Forage Forage Quality and Ethnoveterinary Medicines in Sustainable Livestock rearing in Tribal areas of Western Himalaya

Abstract

ABSTRACT newlineAll over the world plants are extremely important in the lives of people. For centuries, human beings have been utilizing plant resources for food, medicine, fuel, fodder and other cultural purposes. Economic plants are defined as plants use directly or indirectly in various forms. The review of literature revealed that a very few studies have been done on traditional used wild ethnoveterinary medicines, forage quality and forage plants used by tribal migratory shepherds of western Himalaya. Therefore, the present study was conducted on Forage, Forage Quality and Ethnoveterinary Medicines in Sustainable Livestock rearing in Tribal areas of Western Himalayas . Pastoralism is a way of life in Himalaya, especially in higher ranges, where livelihoods based on livestock are adapted due to variable natural resource availability through time and space. The shepherds movement from five high altitudes in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh was tracked. In the higher reaches of Kinnaur district the shepherds moved from their respective village s viz., Chitkul, Rakchham, Batseri, Sangla and Kamru. Besides the place of origin of shepherds as they moved towards lower hills, surveys were done for Chopal forest division (mid hills), Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary (mid hills) and Renuka forest division (low hills). Finally, in the months of September-October they reach the low hills in Paonta Sahib forest division where they temporarily settled up to the month of March, and ethnoveterinary surveys were done for this region also. It was observed that shepherds migrate from their villages in the month of July and August and no migration October on wards was observed as the winter sets in. The documentation of ethnoveterinary medicines and forage plants used by tribal migratory shepherds were studied during periodic field visits by interacting with shepherds groups. Interactions revealed that the migratory shepherds possess good knowledge about wild plants and they know how to use them. A total of 378 ethnoveterinary medicines were used by shepherds during seasonal migration from high hills to low hills or plains of Sirmaur district. Commonly used ethnoveterinary medicines from high hills to low hills were found be Valeriana jatamansi, Viola pilosa, Heracleum lanatum, Vitex negundo, Urtica dioica, Ephedra gerardiana and Juniperus communis etc. During this study it was found that a total of 500 fodder species were used by shepherds during seasonal migration. The required information on ethnoveterinary medicines and forage plants was collected through interviews, personal field visits, and through questionnaire. The study revealed that information on traditional used ethnoveterinary medicine and forage plants in study areas is mostly confined to older people and there is danger that this knowledge can be lost before being passed on to other generation. Therefore, there is urgent need to document and conservation of these important plant species so that the future generation can benefit. Further study should be carried out to validate the efficacy and safety of the medicinal plants so as to provide cheap alternative ways of controlling parasites. newlineKeywords: Ethnoveterinary, Shepherds, Western Himalayas, Seasonal migration. newline