Abstract:
Desert rangeland play an important role in the livelihood of peoples living in lesser Cholistan region, contributing to satisfy basic human needs such as food stuff, medicine, fuel wood and income. The primary goal of this study is to compile and evaluate the multifunctional role of wild flora and fauna in the livelihood support of people living in the vicinity of the lower Cholistan area. In order to collect the data, seven locations from lesser Cholistan region were selected as study area, named as Sokar BastiYazman, Chananpir, chak 122 DRB, Derawar Fort, 21/DRB, Kutanywali, and Bhadiwala. For research purpose key informant interviews, group discussion and household surveys were conducted from 95 respondents 53 men and 42 women. The economic importance of recorded species was assessed based on their commercial and market level assessment. The local price per kg for Calligonum polygonides was 2000 Pakistani rupees (equal to 11.32 US dollars), 1200 rupees (equal to 6.79 US dollars) for Rhynchosia capitata, 1500 rupees (equal to 8.49 US dollars) for Neurada procumbens Linn and 100 rupees (equal to 0.57 US dollars) for each bird species were recorded inside the research area.The findings revealed that 55 wild flora and 24 wild fauna species provide the local community with breadth of social, economic and nutritional security of which 34 wild plant species ranked highest as animal food. Almost 33 wild plant species and 14 wild fauna species play significant role to secure human health care followed by food, fuel and ritually important species. Based on their economic use value Calligonum polygonides, Ziziphus nummularia, Calotropis procera and Haloxylon salicornicum were among the highest ranking species. Whereas, Saara hardwickii, Varanus griseus and Canis aureus among the forefront animal species. Finding of these results clearly demonstrated that 29 wild flora and 15 wild fauna species have multidimensional function in the livelihood uplift of communities. There is a comprehensive need to develop a rational analytical framework to evaluate both direct and indirect services of wild flora and fauna to local livelihoods and the national economy.
Page(s):
229-229
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Abstract Book on Global Science Technology and Management Conference, Volume: 0, Issue: 0, Year: 2023
Keywords:
Food security
,
livelihood
,
cash generation and wild Fauna
,
Lesser Cholistan
,
Wild Flora