This paper is based on the results of an ethnomedicinal research work conducted in the semi-tribal mountainous area lying between District Mianwali (Punjab Province) and District Karak (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province), Pakistan during June 2009-July 2011. During field survey, questionnaires were used to interview the local inhabitants of the area. The ethnomedicinal data consists of 131 plant species (2 Pteridophytes, 7 Monocots, 122 Dicots) belonging to 48 families (2 Pteridophytes, 4 Monocots, 42 Dicots). The most commonly represented families were Amaranthaceae (9 spp.), Mimosaceae (8 spp.), Asteraceae and Papilionaceae (7 spp.) each; Solanaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Scrophulariaceae (6 spp.) each, followed by Boraginaceae, Brassicaceae, Lamiaceae and Polygonaceae (5 spp.) each. Plant specimens were identified, preserved and vouchers were deposited in the Plant Taxonomy Lab. of Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sargodha, Pakistan for future reference. The data collected through interviews with the local people indicates that these species are mostly used in respiratory tract infections (RTI), urinary tract infections (UTI), digestive disorders, sexual problems, skin diseases, liver ailments, wound healing, blood vomiting, malaria, piles, epilepsy, jaundice, gummosis, round worms, hepatitis etc. in the area. Due to lack of scientific approach regarding harvesting and utilization of this valuable medicinal flora, many plants are quickly going towards extinction; therefore, further work is needed to create awareness in the community conservation of the precious medicinal plants.

Background: In recent decades, parasitism has remained one of the major problems of dairy industry in Pakistan. In this context, the most common tick species prevailing is Hyalomma, Boophilus, Haemaphysalis, and Rhipicephalus. Result: High prevalence was found in cow 20.83% as compared to buffaloes. Over all prevalence of ticks was found as 11.3% whereas no ticks were found from LRS (livestock research station), and Malpur showed higher prevalence (8.67%). Breed wise tick prevalence showed that crossbred cattle was heavily infested (39.53%) while pure bred indigenous cattle was mildly infested (3.03%). Three tick genera found were Hyalomma with high prevalence rate 6.63% and Rhipicephalus and Boophilus with low prevalence rate 1.53% while management system of LRS in Islamabad was found satisfactory with no tick prevalence and rural areas of Islamabad was not satisfactory with 23% of tick prevalence ration. It was concluded from the study that ticks were present in the crossbred cattles of pre-urban areas specially Malpur region of Islamabad with low management system, so there is a need of proper monitoring and management in the pre-urban areas. Conclusion: Key steps should be taken for good managements regarding large animals while special care must be taken for small animals. Proper spray must be carried out for the removal of pathogenic species.

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