Wild edible plant basket of terrestrial paradise and variations among the diverse ethnic and elevation groups: A detailed insight from the Western Himalaya of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

Abstract

The documentation of wild ood plants (WFPs) and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) linked to diverse ethnic groups is remarkably important. In this regard, remote mountainous areas are relatively more sensitive due to rapidly evolving culture and potential climate change. Despite of being an agricultural country, Pakistan is facing serious threats to food security of its growing population. This study hypothesized that cultural diversity and transportational dynamics of WFPs influence gathering and consumption of WFPs in any region. A field study to document the uses of WFPs was conducted (from July-2019 to June-2020) in the district Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan, and included 80 semi-structured interviews in 15 villages/sites. This field survey was concentrated on five leading ethnic groups (i.e. Abbasi, Khawajgan, Mughal, Rajgan, and Sadaat) and local communities residing in four diverse elevation zones (i.e. Sub-tropical, Temperate, Sub-alpine and Alpine). This study documented a total of 102 wild food plants, mainly used as cooked vegetable (59 species), and raw snacks (32 species). The cross-cultural comparison among five groups showed high homogeneity in use of WFPs, and simultaneously possess some unique plant specific cultural markers (i.e. WFPs used by one group only) depicting unique and diverse local ecological knowledge. The Mughal group was found leading practitioner of TEK linked to WFPs gathering and consumption (97 species) in the study area. This group also owned maximum unique WFPs uses possibly due to high population density in the area, and better linkage with forestry, horticulturalism, agriculture and pastoralism. Elevation was the leading driver of variations in the wild food gathering and consumption. A total of four WFPs was recorded with maximum abundance in the alpine zone, and three are transported downhill (75%) in the sub-tropical zone for consumption/selling in the market. Conversely, only 35% of WFPs were transported uphill from sub-tropical to temperate zone. Hence, a serious threat of over-exploitation in high elevation sub-alpine and alpine areas was recorded. We found erosion of TEK among the Abbasi group depicting possible bio-cultural shift to adapt modern lifestyle. This documented TEK can be used to build and guide future sustainable use and management of WFPs resources in the area to ensure food security of the local populations.

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