Ethnoveterinary Plants used by Rural People of Sainj Wildlife Sanctuary District Kullu of Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Ethnoveterinary medicine, the use of traditional knowledge and practices to treat animal health issues, plays a vital role in rural communities, particularly in regions where modern veterinary services are limited or inaccessible. In the Sainj Wildlife Sanctuary of  Kullu  district, a total of 145 ethnoveterinary plants (ferns 7, herbs 57, shrubs 24, climbers 10, trees 38, grasses 10) were reported to be used by rural inhabitants . In Sainj Wildlife Sanctuary in the Kullu district, the most reported diseases of livestock were skin infection, cough, wounds, retained placenta, urine infection, delayed puberty, stomach infection, mastitis, fever, indigestion, body pain, diarrhea, dysentery, bone fracture, body lice, insect bites, constipation, eye problems, toothache, intestinal worms, foot diseases, and mouth diseases In Himachal Pradesh, India, a diverse range of ethnoveterinary plants are utilized by rural populations to address various livestock ailments. This study explores the traditional knowledge and practices surrounding the use of medicinal plants in veterinary care among rural communities of HP. Through  surveys, interviews, and field observations, we document the plant species employed for treating common animal diseases, including digestive, respiratory, and skin disorders. Findings indicate that local people have developed an extensive knowledge which, passed down through generations, which contributes to the sustainable management of livestock health in rural HP.