KARACHI, April 8: More than 60 plant species have been scientifically recorded for the first time in Nagarparkar in a recent study conducted at Karachi University’s botany department.

The research, entitled ‘Ethnobotanical and taxonomic studies of Nagarparkar and isolation of active principles from some medicinally important plants,’ provides for the first time detailed information about the plant species and their uses found in the town located between the Tharparkar desert and Rann of Kutch.

The four-year study was undertaken by Zamarrud Tajuddin, under the supervision of Prof Dr Mohammad Qaiser, former vice chancellor Federal Urdu University for Arts, Science and Technology, now serving as the KU vice chancellor.

Located at the foot of the Karoonjhar Hills, Nagarparkar is, according to the study, home to diverse flora. The hills, part of the Arvali range, make Nagarparkar stand out from the rest of the desert. The town’s geographical location favours rainfall, from mid-June to mid-September, and four seasonal springs flow during the monsoon from the hill’s eastern side.

However, the area lacks a perennial stream.

Diverse flora, the study says, is playing a fundamental role in sustaining the life of ethnic groups in the region. Around 250 species were collected in their flowering and fruiting periods, and 62 of them were reported from this area for the first time. Samples of many species were taken for their proper identification. All were later preserved in the herbarium of the Plant Conservation Centre at the university.

“Hills, sand mounds and sloping plains are home to a variety of plant species which are in abundance during the monsoon. Four seasonal springs - Achleshwar, Sardhara, Bhetiani and Gordharo - flow from the hills and remain full during the rainy season. But as the season ends, they start drying, and with them, the annual plant species.” the study says.

After the monsoon, only the drought-resistant and deep-rooted perennials are left. They include Commiphora wightii, Rivea hypocraterformis, Prosopis juliflora, Acacia senegal, Rhynchosia schimperi, Calligonum polygonoides, Aerva javanica, Euphorbia caducifolia, Tamarix indica and Dipcadi erythraeum.

The local communities, it says, have a strong association with local flora and about 100 plant species are in their use for different purposes such as food, fodder, fibre, fragrance, shelter and also as medicine.

In some places edible plants are cultivated and used as alternative sources of food. These are: Amaranthus viridis, Amaranthus spinosus, Digera muricata, Capparis decidua, Rivea hypocrateriformis, Calligonum poligonoides, Pannicum turgidum and a number of Cucurbitaceous. However they are inadequate to fulfill the food demands of the entire population Grass species such as Cenchrus ciliaris, C. biflorus. C. setigerus, Cymbopogon jwarancusa, Eleusine compressa and Dactyloctenium aegyptim are used as fodder for the livestock.

Regarding the medicinal use of plants, the study points out that plant species such as Amaranthus spinosus, Digera muricata, Cucumis sativis, Citrulus colosynthis, Tamarindis indica and Chenopodium murale are being used as remedy for seasonal infections and ailments.

People were found to be using Senna alaxandrina for curing hepatitis, Citrulus colosynthis and Tribulus terrestris for the dissolution of urinary stones, Amaranthus viridis for curing fits, Rivea hypocraterformis for pain and Enicostemm hyssopifolium for the treatment of typhoid and malaria.

Rivea hypocrateriformis and Enicostemma hyssopifolium were selected for chemical investigations and it was found that all the constituents from the two species contained compounds responsible for antibiotic, anti-enzymatic and anti-oxidant activities.

The study also raises concern over the rapid disappearance of some highly productive medicinal plant species and warns that they might become extinct from the area if efforts are not made to conserve them.

The Moringa concanense, a plant used for the treatment of arthritis, glandular inflammation and ulcer and skin diseases in Indian literature, is one such example. Other species vanishing from the region include climbers, such as Telosma cordata, which was found as a single plant spreading over Acacia senegal on the hills.

Calligonum polygonoides and Aerva javanica, responsible for stabilizing soil through their root system, were also found in threatened conditions; the former was collected by women for its flowers whereas the latter’s roots were collected for food and medicinal purposes.

Some medicinal species such as Leptadenia pyrotechnica are also being used for making fine baskets, mats and roofs whereas Tribulus terrestris and Crotalaria burhia are supplied to drug stores in adjacent areas. The wood of Tecomella undulata, Acacia nilotica and Acacia senegal is sold in the local market for fuel and timber purposes.

“Commiphora wightii grows abundantly on the hills. Its gum has a high demand among locals who use it in temples during religious ceremonies for fragrance. However, the method employed to extract the gum withers out the plant,” said Zamarrud Tajuddin, who was awarded a PhD degree on her research this year.

She emphasised the need for conserving plants in Nagarparkar and said: “The first step to save these productive plants is to create public awareness. Second, the government needs to provide alternate sources of fuel and livelihood to local communities so that they are not forced to cut them down.”