Ethnobotanical exploration of wild plants used by people of Outer Seraj Region of Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, India

The objective of the study was to document the indigenous knowledge and traditional uses of plants used by the local communities residing in the outer Seraj region of the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. The methodology employed for the study involved extensive field surveys, ethnographic interviews and interactive sessions with local communities. This study witnessed use of 177 plant species being utilised by local communities for various purposes. The utilisation of species other than medicinal purpose includes fuelwood (39), edible purpose (34), fodder (19), religious (17), handicrafts (13), veterinary (8), insecticidal (8), timber (5) and agriculture implements (3). An assessment of conservation status (IUCN, 2010 criterion based and CAMP, 2010) of these species showed 21 species in different threat categories, viz., Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (E) and Vulnerable (VU) in study region.