A Contribution to ethnobotanical study of wild plants of Reyal Forest, District Bhimber Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

This study encompasses an ethno-botanical research on wild plants of Reyal Forest Tehsil Samahni, District Bhimber Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Pakistan. A number of visits were made to collect the data on various trees, shrubs and herbs. The aim of the study was to examine wild plants and their uses in the area by local inhabitants. Total 70 informants were interviewed by making a questionnaire to know the ethno-botanical use of indigenous plants by confined people in their day to day life. The 51 plant species belonged to 28 different families were recorded whereas collected plants were preserved in form of herbarium. The plants with correct nomenclature were alphabetically set by botanical name, family name, vernacular name, habit and ethno-botanical uses. For data validation various statistical tools were used including Frequency citation (FC), Relative Frequency Citation (RFC), Use Value (UV), Fidelity level (FL), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Direct Ranking Matrix (DMR) and Priority Ranking (PR). The results of collected data indicated that RFC ranges between 0.07-0.01, Use Value between 3-0.5. The most regularly used parts of plant were leaves about (68%). Highest fidelity level was found to be 80%. Highest value of ICF was calculated for fever (14.5). While DMR showed that Dalbergia sissoo was ranked first due to its multiple uses. Fuel wood & Fodder and Agricultural expansion were prominent factors that exert pressure to the flora of study area due to anthropogenic activities. It has been also found that the study area has been blessed with rich biodiversity but with increase in human settlings in the area, flora of the area is in danger and needs comprehensive efforts to protect.