Research Article | Published: 31 July 2025

Traditional knowledge and plant use: Ethnobotanical insight among Bhaba Valley, indigenous people in Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh, India

Gayatri Deryan, Dhiraj Singh Rawat and Sheetal

Journal of Non-Timber Forest Products | Volume: 32 | Issue: 2 | Page No. 121-130 | 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps2000-2025-452B5X | Cite this article

Abstract

This study presents ethnomedicinal research conducted in the Bhaba Valley of Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh, offering valuable insights into phytomedicinal practices among the local indigenous community. The primary objective was to document the therapeutic uses of plants and to develop a comprehensive ethnobotanical inventory of the region’s biodiversity. Data were collected during 2023–2024 through semi-structured questionnaires and group discussions. Quantitative indices, including Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Use Value (UV), Use Reports (UR), and Family Importance Value (FIV), were applied to analyze the medicinal plant data. A total of 42 informants (22 males and 20 females) provided information on 34 plant species belonging to 22 families. The highest representation was recorded in the Pinaceae family (4 species), followed by Berberidaceae (3) and Apiaceae (2). Herbs (41%) and trees (32%) were the most commonly used life forms. Most plants were utilized for gastrointestinal ailments, followed by dermatological and respiratory conditions. The findings emphasize the continued reliance on traditional plant-based remedies and highlight the need for systematic documentation and conservation.

Keywords

Ailments, Biodiversity, Conservation, Ethnobotany, Traditional knowledge

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About this article

How to cite

Deryan, G., Rawat, D.S. and Sheetal, 2025. Traditional knowledge and plant use: Ethnobotanical insight among Bhaba Valley, indigenous people in Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh, India. Journal of Non-Timber Forest Products, 32(2), pp.121-130. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps2000-2025-452B5X

Publication History

Manuscript Received on 07 May 2025

Manuscript Revised on 19 July 2025

Manuscript Accepted on 23 July 2025

Manuscript Published on 31 July 2025

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