Preprint / Version 1

Traditional Usage of Wild Fauna among the Local Inhabitants of Ladakh, Trans-Himalayan Region

Authors

  • Shiekh Haq Department of Botany, University of Kashmir Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190006, India; [email protected] (S.M.H.); [email protected] (U.Y.)
  • Eduardo Calixto Institute of Biology, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 05508-060, Brazil; [email protected]
  • Umer Yaqoob Department of Botany, University of Kashmir Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190006, India; [email protected] (S.M.H.); [email protected] (U.Y.)
  • Riyaz Ahmed Wildlife Crime Control Division, Wildlife Trust of India, Noida 201301, India; [email protected]
  • Ahmed Mahmoud Department Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; [email protected] (A.H.M.); [email protected] (O.B.M.)
  • Rainer Bussmann Department of Ethnobotany, Institute of Botany, Ilia State University, Tbilisi 0105, Georgia; [email protected]
  • Osama Mohammed Department Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; [email protected] (A.H.M.); [email protected] (O.B.M.)
  • Khalid Ahmad Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus 22060, Pakistan; [email protected]
  • Arshad Abbasi Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus 22060, Pakistan; [email protected]

Keywords:

ethnozoological usage, animal parts, biodiversity hotspot, fauna conservation

Abstract

Simple Summary Like plants, animal-based remedies are being utilized traditionally in different cultures around the globe. We explored the traditional usage of wild animals by the local inhabitants in Ladakh area of Trans-Himalayan region, India, using questionnaires and interviews. Furthermore, associations between ethnozoological usage and animal species were also evaluated through multivariate ecological community analysis. The highest priority of local inhabitants was for food followed by medicinal usage. We documented therapeutic uses of 48% of the reported species. Among these Alectoris chukar (chukar), Cuon alpinus (Asiatic wild dog), Lepus oiostolus (hares), Marmota himalayana (marmots), Ovis aries vignei (Ladakh urial), Pantholops hodgsonii (Tibetan antelope), Procapra picticaudata (Tibetan gazelle), Pseudois nayaur (blue sheep), Tetraogallus himalayensis (Himalayan snow), Tetraogallus tibetanus (Tibetan snow cock), and Lutra lutra (common otter) were reported for the first time from this region and are being used for medicinal purpose. Our findings could be valuable as reference data for policymakers, researchers, land managers, common public, and the other stakeholders to develop logical and scientific approaches for sustainable use of faunal diversity in biodiversity hotspot regions. Zootherapy is accepted all around the globe not only in ancient cultures but different animal derived medicines are also part of the practice in the modern health care systems. The present study assessed the traditional ethnozoological usage of wild animals by local inhabitants in Ladakh region, India, and the reference data for scientific approaches for protection of faunal diversity in trans-Himalayas. The ethnozoological documentation of the animals in Ladakh was carried out through semistructured and close-ended questionnaire surveys and interviews. Multivariate ecological community analysis was used to elucidate the relationship between ethnozoological usage and animal species. Our results showed three animal usage clusters with 32% similarity. Moreover, the similarity in animal usage between digging tools, trophy, handle of tools, decoration, and matting, showed less than 32% of similarity. The highest priority of local people was for food followed by decoration and medicinal usage. The most frequently used animal parts were meat followed by fur and horn. Medicinal uses of 48% of the reported species, i.e., Alectoris chukar (chukar), Cuon alpinus (Asiatic wild dog), Lepus oiostolus (hares), Marmota himalayana (marmots), Ovis aries vignei (Ladakh urial), Pantholops hodgsonii (Tibetan antelope), Procapra picticaudata (Tibetan gazelle), Pseudois nayaur (blue sheep), Tetraogallus himalayensis (Himalayan snow), Tetraogallus tibetanus (Tibetan snow cock), and Lutra lutra (common otter) were reported for the first time from this region. Our study provides innovative information regarding the ethnozoological knowledge in the Ladakh region and reference data for policymakers, researchers, land managers, common public, and the other stakeholders to develop logical and scientific approaches for sustainable use of faunal diversity in hotspot regions like trans-Himalayas and other similar biodiversity-rich sites. Keywords: ethnozoological usage, animal parts, biodiversity hotspot, fauna conservation

Author Biography

Shiekh Haq, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190006, India; [email protected] (S.M.H.); [email protected] (U.Y.)

Wildlife Crime Control Division, Wildlife Trust of India, Noida 201301, India; [email protected]