Indigenous livestock care practices in Kamlah, Mandi District, Himachal Pradesh: A preserving heritage

Abstract

Cattle production has been an important source of livelihood for the rural communities. Current study aimed to documenting the indigenous traditional knowledge and practices related to livestock health care system among the people of Kamlah region of Sandhol tehsil of district Mandi (Himachal Pradesh). Reconnaissance surveys were conducted in this region from 2021 to 2022. A total of 65 informants (35 males & 30 females) were interviewed. Ethnoveterinary data was collected through semi-structured interviews and group discussions with elderly people, women, farmers and local herbal healers. In this study, 28 plant species belonging to 23 families were identified; in which herb (57%) were the maximum used life forms and leaves (43%) were the commonly used plant parts. The highest number of species recorded in families were Asparagaceae and Fabaceae (3 species each). A wide range of diseases or disorders of cattle such as bone fracture, eye infection, fever, heat stroke, insect bite, prolapsed uterus, skin disorders and stomach disorders are treated by the people of study area with the help of indigenous medicinal plants. The data was analysed using three ethnobotanical indices i.e., use value (UV), fidelity level (FL) and informant consensus factor (ICF). According to quantitative analysis, plant species with high UV values for curing live stock were Mentha spicata L. (0.92), Cassia fistula L. (0.77) and Stephania rotunda Lour. (0.77). FL% values ranged from 25 to 100% and ICF values ranged between 0.97 to 1.00. These findings were at primary level and provide basic information to the researchers for carrying out phytochemical and pharmacological investigations, to create more effective veterinary drugs.