Ethnobiology of The Pahari (A case study of Badikhel VDC of Lalitpur district)

Abstract

The Pahari are one of the marginalized indigenous groups, spread out in different parts of Nepal but this particular study is on the people inhabiting Badikhel VDC of Lalitpur district. Historically, they make extensive use of locally available plants and animals for fulfilling their basic needs. The study is carried out to document the plants and animals being used in various ways by the Pahari. To meet the intended objectives, field visits were carried out and the ethnobiological data were collected through observation, participation and interviews with the local people and other knowledgeable people. The study reveals that the Pahari make use of 38 species of animals-both wild and domestic. They use different 284 plants species both wild and cultivated as food, medicines, timber, fuel, wood, fibre and for different rituals. They use 8 different animal species to treat 7 ailments/diseases and 80 different plant species to treat 31 ailments and diseases. Despite their knowledge about local biodiversity, they tend to overexploit the natural resources because of their ignorance and poverty. As such, the local Pahari peoples’ activities are responsible for the depletion of the surrounding biodiversity. Finally some recommendations regarding the conservation of the cultural and biological diversity have been made for relevant individuals and agencies for wise and proper use of resources to encourage sustainable use to meet the national mandate of sustainable development.

Key words: Pahari, indigenous knowledge, Ethnobiology