ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Medicinal Plants Status, Habitat Degradation
Factors and Rehabilitation Possibilities in Sra
Ghurgai Protected Area Takatu Mountain
Range Quetta Pakistan
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1
Department of Botany, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan
2
Department of Zoology, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan
3
Centre for Integrated Mountain Research (CIMR), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
4
Centre for Plant Conservation, University of Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
5
Department of Microbiology, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan
Submission date: 2022-03-16
Final revision date: 2022-04-14
Acceptance date: 2022-05-12
Online publication date: 2022-08-09
Publication date: 2022-11-03
Corresponding author
Ali Akbar
Microbiology, University of Balochistan Quetta, Pakistan
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2022;31(6):5047-5056
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ABSTRACT
Despite massive efforts to protect plant diversity around the world over the last few decades, it is
becoming increasingly evident that present policies are insufficient to prevent the continued trends of
decline in biodiversity. The encroachment of humans and their animals on protected areas is causing
changes in its natural environment. This study was performed in the protected highlands of Sra Ghurgai,
Quetta District, Balochistan from July to November 2020. The study used a survey approach that
included a purposive location selection, a questionnaire to assess the effects of anthropogenic activities,
analysis of random samples of soil and identification of medicinal plants. Soil properties were studied
at three altitudes: site I (1660 m), site II (1700 m), and site III (1720 m) at 0-30 cm soil depths. A total of
ten plant species belonging to eight different families were collected and identified. Our findings reveal
that the primary cause of the reduction in organic contents was habitat destruction due to overgrazing
and human activities. Implementation of government policies and their technical support can help in the
restoration of the natural beauty of this protected region.