The Role of Medicinal Plants in Provision of LivelihoodA case study of District Shangle, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Authors: Haidar Ali, Dr. Abedullah, Dr. Anwar Hussain & Abdul Qadeer

Abstract

Harvesting of medicinal plants species one of the most economical esteemed biological resources for the mountainous community livelihood of district Shangla Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan. This study estimates medicinal plants contribution to the local community livelihood of the district. The study was based on primary data collected through semi-structured questionnaires from medicinal plants harvesters and the local community of the district. The empirical analysis of the study was examined through descriptive statistics and two-stage least square method. The result found that medicinal plants have a great potential to contribute to the local community livelihood. Medicinal plants contribute 26 % which is the second largest source of income after the agriculture sector 30% in the total income of farmer per-month. However, reported mention that these species of plants are declining due to several factors such as deforestation, overgrazing (grazing of livestock), and unsustainable harvesting, losses during collection and storage. Therefore, there is a needed to sustain these species of medicinal plants through community partnership among formal and informal local institutions. The national government is playing a significant role in the conservation of medicinal plants and sustained the livelihood of the mountainous community of district Shangla.