Threats to medicinal plant diversity in Soon Valley (Salt Range) of Punjab, Pakistan

It was an ethno botanical study in which threats to vegetation particularly medicinal plants and their uses in Soone Valley were identified by interviewing the residents and through personal observations. The survey showed that inhabitants of the valley are well aware of the fact that natural resources particularly medicinal plants of the valley are diminishing with alarming rate. Continuous cutting for various purposes particularly fuel and fodder, over grazing, less rain fall and lowering of water table are responsible for reduction in medicinal plants of the valley. Accidental fires by the herds' men and illegal honey hunters, agricultural activities and harvesting of medicinal plants by uprooting are the main reason of lowering of medicinal plants. Lack of knowledge and interest relating medicinal plants, local doctors (Hakeems) and over harvesting of medicinal plants without taking care of its survival in future due to less knowledge of conservation also reduces their production. Almost all the respondents voted for gaining knowledge from the older and able peoples and transfer to next generations for protection of medicinal flora particularly endangered species by protecting them from grazing, fires and cutting. Respondents also suggested cultivation, research and analysis of medicinal plants as essential component for their improvement and development of confidence of common man.