Traditional knowledge and utilization of wild edible plants in Swat district, Pakistan: implications for nutrition and food security

TL;DR

This study explores wild edible plants in Pakistan's Swat Valley, highlighting their role in nutrition, livelihoods, and cultural heritage.

Contribution

The study documents 175 wild edible plant species in Swat, Pakistan, with quantitative ethnobotanical indices and conservation assessments.

Findings

Herbs dominate wild edible plant use in Swat, with young shoots and fruits being the most consumed parts.

Berberis lycium is the most culturally important wild edible plant in the region.

Twenty-seven wild edible plant species are locally marketed, generating small incomes for households.

Abstract

Wild edible plants are critical for local nutrition, cultural heritage, and livelihoods, yet their diversity and traditional uses are underexplored in Pakistan. Swat Valley, a biologically and culturally rich region, relies on wild plants for food security, particularly among economically vulnerable households.

Field surveys were conducted from 2018 to 2022 across 20 villages in six tehsils of Swat District. A total of 160 informants (100 males, 60 females; aged 20–90 years) were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and personal observations. The quantitative ethnobotanical indices, including (UV), (RFC), and (UR), were calculated to assess cultural importance and usage patterns.

A total of 175 wild edible plant species from 72 families were documented. Herbs dominated (62.3%), followed by shrubs (20.6%), trees (16%), and climbers (1.1%). Young shoots (41.7%), fruits (30.6%), and leaves (13.9%) were most commonly used. Plants were used as vegetables (37%), fruits (39%), raw foods (14%), teas/flavoring agents (5%), sauces/chutneys (2%), and oils (2%).Berberis lycium showed the highest cultural importance (UV = 0.813, RFC = 0.75), followed by Chenopodium album (UV = 0.68, RFC = 0.63) and Berberis vulgaris (UV = 0.65, RFC = 0.63). Novel use analysis of 115 species revealed High Level (22%), Moderate Level (23%), and Low Level (55%) novelty. Twenty-seven species were marketed locally, generating income ranging from (0.09 to 1.74 $) per Kg. Conservation assessment highlighted Endangered species (Abies pindrow, Mentha royleana, Zanthoxylum armatum) and Vulnerable species (Thymus linearis, Mentha longifolia, Morus alba).

Wild edible plants in Swat Valley provide essential nutrition, support local livelihoods, and sustain cultural traditions. Quantitative indices demonstrate the most culturally significant species and highlight gaps for conservation. Sustainable management, cultivation, and policy interventions are recommended to preserve these vital resources, ensuring biodiversity conservation and continued food security in mountainous regions.

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