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Ethnobotanical Leaflets 11: 97-105.
2007. Non-Timber
Forest Products: A Substitute for Livelihood of the Marginal Community in
Kalash Valley, Ajaz Ahmed1 and Abdul Latif2 1Pakistan
Forest Institute, 2Kohat University of Science & Technology, Kohat Issued ABSTRACT Kalash Valley is located in the remote south western part of District Chitral. The area is gifted with unique Cultural and biological diversity. The natural forest of the area mainly consists of Pine (Pinus wallichiana), Chlghoza (Pinus gerardiana) Deodar (Cedrus deodara) and broad leaf species like Oak (Quercus incana). The term Non-timber forest produce encompasses all biological material other then timber that are extracted from the forest for human welfare. Some of the important NTFPs in Kalash Valley Bomburet are Wild mushroom (Morchella esculenta, M. Vulgaris, M. deliciosa) Honey (Apis cerana) Medicinal Plant (Ferula nartex Paeonia emodi, Inula recemosa ) Pine nut (Pinus gerardiana), silk cocoons and others valuable products. The people of this remote area rely on their indigenous knowledge for collection, packing and drying of these forest products .Most of the local people are depended on these produce for income generation. The present study aims to expose the situation of Non-timber forest produce and future guidelines for proper planning and management. INTRODUCTION Kalash valley is located about 36 Km from Chitral town (35-40N latitudes and 71-40 E longitude) in the Hindu-Kush Mountain range (DCR, 2002). The people are known as the last Kafirs, unbelievers, still practicing their own polytheistic religion in the midst of Islam. The valley falls in the dry temperate zone where summer are pleasant and winter are intensely cold characterized by heavy snow fall. The average rain fall is 250-400 mm per annum. The elevation of the valley ranges from approximately 1,800 m to 3,800 m above sea level (Aziz & Nadira 2003). Kalashi are mostly relying on their natural resources for their domestic and economic needs. Besides subsistence agricultural commodities, various forest products are also collected for different purposes. The most commonly planted crops in this area are maize, wheat, bean, potato and vegetables. The area is famous for fruit commodity both from wild as well as cultivated lands. The major fruit items are walnuts, chilgoza and almonds. The forest of
the whole Chitral district is estimated to be 41,949 hectors (including
Kalash valley). METHODOLOGY For primary data collection, personal
observation, organized survey and community meetings were undertaken. For survey questionnaire was used to get
baseline information. Stratified sampling technique was used for analyzing
the area in terms of NTFPs. Random sampling techniques were used to interview
the target groups. Secondary data was collected from various libraries and
departments. The data collected was analyzed statistically. NON TIMBER A) Food
Products Honey
Edible mushroom Variety of mushrooms/morels is found in Kalash valley, are Morchella esculenta, M. vulgaris, M. deliciosa and other morels like Oyster. Their local names are Quchi, Brangalu and Shunti in Local language. A person that finds mushrooms is often referred to by the local people as” the Luckiest Person”. Local people often hide the place from where they pluck mushroom. The Kalash community has their own indigenous knowledge for mushroom collection. For example it is belief that mushroom often appear under various trees, like Juglans regia, Pinus wallichiana. Morels are
collected in B)
Wild Nuts and Fruits Pine nut Chilghoza (Pinus gerardianana) is found in the small patches of southern Chitral at elevation ranging from 1800 m to 3500 m associated with Deodar (Cedrus deodara) and Blue Pine ( Pinus willichiana) at higher elevation and oak (Qarecus ilex) at lower elevation.(Sher et al, 2003). The seeds of pinus gerardianana are popular and commercially important dry fruit. A tree yields 20 to 40 kg of nuts (FAO, Pakistan Country report). seeds are collected from the still green cones by climbing the tree, some time the people remove all the cones from the tree as a result there is no natural regeneration of this species. There were no any trends found regarding the marketing of the nuts but were used within the families or gifted to friends and guests. The successful marketing of the nuts during the lash five year has proved. It has reported that the local communities are the collector of the nut in general and Muhajirs and Pathans in rare cases. About 156 people are involved in collection of pine nut in Kalash valley. Thus this species also play a vital role in the economy of the Kalash Valley Total pine nut transported from the valley and revenue from the pine nut is given below. Table 2. Takeout of Chilgoza nut from the valley and import in the country (2004, 2006).
Walnut Walnut (Juglans regia) kernels are a favorite
dry fruit in Kalash valley. The total production is about 10 tones per year.
The average wholesale price is Rs 40 per kilogram. The average number of walnut
trees per household is
Mulberry Fruits Mulberry is a fast deciduous woody perennial plant. Morus alba and Morus nigra is the major mulberry species found in the valley. The fruit are collected for domestic uses as well commercial purposes. Mostly women and children collect the fruit often eat on the spot. The dried fruit sold in the local market Rs: 40 to 50 per kg Morus alba and 25 to30 per kg Morus nigra. The total mulberry dried fruit production in valley is estimated about 300 kg each year and 74 families are involved in the collection of mulberry fruit. Income to the community from these mulberries is estimated about Rs: 30000 annually. In illicit brewage is also prepared from the dry fruit of mulberry and sell @ Rs; 1000 to 1200 per bottle. The leaves are used as fodder and rearing silk worm. Locally mulberry wood is used for making agriculture tools etc. its wood is also used in furniture. But unfortunately due to less attention towards this important species mulberries are vanishing from the valley. Russian olive Eleagnus angustifolia is locally known as Sinjoor. It tree grows near the water channel and agriculture land. It fruit is collected by children for domestic uses, often eat on the spot. The plant flowering in May and fruit in October. Its flower have good aroma and locally used as air freshener. Trees yield about 15 to 20 kg of berries ( Kitimi). The gum from this specie is locally known as Zulchuk which is used by the Kalash girls as shampoo. This is also a well known bee flora, and the honey from this plant is very popular and sold on good price. About 25 families are involved in the collection of Russian olive fruits and gum, mostly children and women. The marketing of these products is not common; all the production is consumed within the valley. C) Animals Products: Silk Cocoons
D. Medicinal Products Medicinal plants continue to be extensively used as major source of drugs fro the treatment of many health disorders all over the world. Kalash valley is a host of many endemic and economically important medicinal plants. Traditional medicines have not lost its importance in Kalash valley. Medicinal plants from a valuable source of income for the local people. Various medicinal plants, which are commonly used locally and are commercially important, are listed in Table 3. Table 3.
Important Medicinal Plants of the valley.
Key: Medicine from Wildlife: Many traditional medicines use wildlife as ingredients. Kalash community, even other parts of Chitral, it is believed that the fats of bear (Ursus sp) can increase hairs growth. It is also famous in the area that the tail of fox repels evil spirits. Markhor is believed to have prescribed benefits, with cures claimed for aliment ranging from body pain to laziness. E. Miscellaneous Products Basketry The Kalash are very professional in making of Vesku (a big basket, is use carrying of fire woods, walnuts and shifting of organic fertilizer from home to fields) from the young branches of wild almond (Prunus amygadulus ) locally called Kandu it is prepared. Every household kept one or more Vesku in their houses as a part of their culture. The local people from the willow prepare various types of products, like Baskets, Trays, grain bins and decoration products, which is attractive to domestic and international tourist. But the marketing of these products are not common in the valley, due to not advertisement of these products out side from the valley. Branches of Tamarix dioica, are used for making baskets. The branches are cut during July and August and stored for the rest of the year. An average household, consisting of 2 working members makes 30 baskets each year. The baskets are made without tools. The number of households involved has been estimated to be 25. Total annual production is estimated to 750 baskets, the baskets are transported to the nearby towns (Ayun & Chitral) where they are sold to the shopkeepers at an average price of Rs.15 each. This produces revenue of Rs.1125 each year. Walnut bark Particularly the women frequently use the stem bark of walnut in the valley as Muswak, as it imparts a pinkish color to the lips. Removal, however, injures the tree. In extreme cases (Iqbal.M 1991) it even kills them. Occasionally small amount of muswak appear in the local market for sell. Torchwood extraction Obtaining torchwood by
hollowing the tree bottom, as observed in Hazara and other part of the
province, is not practiced in Chitral. In Wild Pomegranate: Dried seeds of wild pomegranate (Punica granatum), locally known as "anar dana," are widely used in cooking to develop a sour taste in dishes. They also have medicinal properties. The tree grows naturally in sub-mountainous tracts of the country from 900 to 1 800 m. Flowers appear in April and May and the fruit is ready for harvesting in September and October. An average tree yields 15 to 25 kilograms of fresh fruit (Iqbal, 1991). Production of fresh pomegranate fruit is estimated at 7 to 9 kilograms per household. About 35 families collect wild pomegranate fruits. .Total production of the fruit is about 200 to 300kg. Zeera Siah Carum carvi is a perennial herb with thick tuberous roots. It grows wild in dry temperate regions of the country. The plant is known locally as "Hojo” and is widely used to flavor bread, biscuits, cakes and cheese. It is also an ingredient of pickling spice. It is a stomach soothing medicine and is occasionally used for flatulent colic and as an adjutant or corrective for medicines. The fruit is collected before ripening. The plants are dried and fruits are thrashed, cleaned, and stored in bags. Total production is about 70 to 80kg of which 75% is consumed locally. Wholesale prices range from Rs.160 to 180 per kilogram. Wild almond Prunus amygadulus, locally known as Kandu, grows wild in chitral at an elevation ranging from 1,600 to 2,500 meter above mean sea level. The kernel of the wild almond is bitter and not edible but oil extracted from the kernel is tasteless as medicinal value. In the valley it is used for cooling, massaging and as a hair oil. Leaves and gum of this species also used in various traditional medicine. Its young branches are use for making of baskets and agriculture tools etc. CONCLUSION Chitral in general and Kalash valley in particular are no strangers to poverty, with less income resources and forest resources, especially the non-timber forest produces are the only source of income and food for the local community. The potential of NTFPs has never been fully exploited in the study area, either for the development of the forest or for the betterment of the community. Extensive research on individual products is needed, to evaluate the feasibility of in situ cultivation of NTFPs on marginal lands of the area. Thus maximum benefit could be extracted from the available resources, following the goal of sustainable development. REFERENCES · Khan, A .M, {1994} Culture and natural resources of Kalash valley Bomburet, M.Sc Dissertation Department of Environmental and Planning Science University of Peshawar. ·
Javed,
M. (1993), working plan for protected ·
Zabta
& Latif, Sustainable market Development of NTFPs in ·
Iqbal.
M, 1991, Non-timber forest products, their income generation potential
for rural women in ·
Ajaz,A
(2004) “Status of Sericulture in ·
Ahmed
F. and Partap, U (2000) Indigenous Honey bees of the · Ajaz, A. 2005, Training report on Indigenous honey promotion, submitted to Karimabad Area Development Organization (KADO) Chitral ·
District
Coordination Office District Government Chitral. Agriculture Brief on |
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Honey
is collected from traditional bee hives is an important source of nutrition
and income for dweller of Kalash valley. Traditionally, bees are reared in
wall hive (locally called Kator) fixed in the houses. The main species is the
indigenous Apis cerana. 