ETHNOBOTANICAL TRADITIONS INVOLVING HALOPHYTES IN HUB, BALOCHISTAN

Abstract

This study explores the ethnobotanical knowledge of coastal plants in Hub, Lasbela District, Balochistan. Extensive field surveys were conducted to gather data on how local communities use these plants. The study identified 52 wild coastal plant species from 28 families, utilized for 14 different purposes. These uses include fodder (58%), medicine (24%), food (6%), household utensils (4%), enhancing milk production in cattle (2%), and other miscellaneous uses (6%). The most commonly used species belonged to the Poaceae family (31%), followed by Amaranthaceae (Chenopodiaceae) (12%), Mimosaceae, and Convolvulaceae (5% each). Approximately 58% of the documented plants were halophytes, while the remaining 42% were xerophytes. Various plant parts were employed to treat 14 disease conditions, with leaves being the most frequently used (46%), followed by whole plants (21%).

The local vegetation serves as a crucial resource for impoverished coastal communities that lack basic healthcare facilities, with ethnobotanical knowledge being traditionally passed down through generations. Supporting the cultivation and conservation of these natural resources could lead to their sustainable use and improve the socio-economic status of the local people. It is recommended that both public and private sectors invest in these plants, which have the potential to evolve into a commercially viable industry.