Abstract

The present study aimed to document the use of ethnomedicinal plants by Bodh or Bhotia tribe residing around Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, a cold desert protected area in trans Himalayan Region. First-hand information on traditional knowledge was collected from Amchis (Folk healers) and local knowledgeable people of age groups that are between 30 and 75 years along with thorough review of previous studies in Indian Himalayan Region. Informants citations were also recorded for various ailments for which the species were used by which authenticity of the uses made can be assessed. The study provides information on the indigenous uses of 69 plant species, which are distributed among 25 families and 54 genera, that is, Angiosperms (24 families, 53 genera and 68 species), Gymnosperms (1 family, 1 genus and 2 species). Out of the total plants, 65 were herbs and four were shrubs.

Key words: Cold desert, ethnomedicinal, medicinal plants, traditional knowledge, Indian Himalaya.