PJF_75_1_35-42

Introduction

District Torghar, formerly known as Kala Dhaka, is a newly established district in the Hazara division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. It was officially separated from Mansehra district and declared the 25th district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 28, 2011, under article 246 of the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Torghar is characterized by blue pine forests, dominated by Kail, Fir and Spruce trees. Despite extensive botanical exploration in Pakistan, certain regions, including Torghar, remain unexplored. Therefore, it is essential to identify and document the region’s tree diversity as a basis for future scientific studies. Torghar is one of the most neglected and deprived region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where people lack basic needs of life (Mehmood et al., 2015). People of the area are mostly illiterate and not aware of loss of biodiversity and its implications. They are using natural resources ruthlessly. They use livestock for milk, meat, transportation and farming. Enlisting tree diversity helps in species nomenclature and identification (Ilyas et al., 2013). A thorough floristic description of the area based on collections and accurate identification is necessary to design conservation plans and assess the changes occurring in the vegetation patterns of any given area (Manikandan and Lakshminarasimhan, 2012; Khan and Ahmad, 2014). Pakistan has a rich tree diversity and a strategic location. There have been reports of about 6000 vascular plants in the area (Stewart, 1972). Pakistan’s northern and western mountains are home to over 80% of the country’s endemic plants (Ali and Qaiser, 1986).

The majority of Pakistan’s natural forest resources are found in the Himalayan Mountain range. One of the uncharted regions is Torghar district, which is located in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. In terms of flora, it belongs to the Irano Turanian Region’s Western Himalayan Province (Takhtadzhian and Cronquist, 1986). Extensive legal and illegal cuttings have severely damaged the forests, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable resource management. Deforestation and overgrazing on steep slopes have led to soil erosion and frequent landslides. The area’s climate is subtropical at lower elevations, gradually transitioning to moist temperate and subalpine types at higher altitudes (Mehmood et al., 2015). Although most regions of Pakistan have been explored by botanists and foresters, some areas, including the study site in District Torghar, remained unexplored for its trees’ diversity until this study. The lack of prior data and various social, administrative, and communication challenges hindered earlier research. Given the significance of this first exploration, the study aimed to identify and document the area’s tree species, providing a foundation for future forestry research and other aligned disciplines.

Study site description

District Torghar is situated on the western edge of the Himalayas Range at coordinates 34° 36′ 48.86′ N, 72° 47′ 17.52′ E. Elevation-wise, the district ranges from 450 to 3,000 meters above sea level. It is bounded on the south by Tanawal, on the east by Agror Valley (Mansehra), on the north by the River Indus across which lies Thakot of Battagram district, on the northwest by Shangla district, and on the southwest by Buner district. The district is administratively divided into two Tehsils, Judbah and Kandar and one Sub tehsil Karor Madakhel. During our field visit we explored various key locations of the study area as directed by the concerned Divisional Forest Officer (DFO). The study sites include Mangri valley, Shingaldar, Judbah, Panja Gali, Shagai, Machai Sar, Maira Madakhel and their surrounding villages. The aforementioned study sites represent different forest types and ecological zones such as Sub-tropical and Moist Temperate. Climate of Torghar is pleasant in spring and autumn but winter remains very harsh due to heavy snow fall. The snow fall occurs generally between December and February each year. In 2013, the total annual rainfall was 980 mm, with the highest precipitation occurring in early spring and early autumn, particularly in February. Due to the absence of a meteorological station in Torghar, climatic data were sourced from the nearest station in Oghi.

Materials and Methods

The research site was visited in August 2024, during the field survey, branches and leaves from various tree species were collected from multiple locations within the study area. For each sample, the exact coordinates and elevations were carefully recorded using a GPS device to ensure accurate geospatial data. This systematic approach allowed for precise mapping of the plant specimens and their respective environmental contexts across the region (Figure 1).

As part of the preservation process, the collected plant specimens were carefully placed between blotting papers and pressed using a plant pressor to ensure proper drying and preservation. All recorded data, along with the tree specimens gathered from various locations within District Torghar during the field visits, were subsequently transferred to the herbarium at the Pakistan Forest Institute, Peshawar. There, the specimens were mounted on herbarium sheets for further analysis and long-term storage.

After completing the identification process, a visit was made to the Department of Botany at the University of Peshawar, where the botanical names of the collected species were cross-checked with those already cataloged in the department’s herbarium. This comparison with the herbarium’s existing collection allowed for confirmation and accurate identification of the species, with the help of expert plant taxonomist Dr. Ghulam Jelani (Figure 2, 3 and 4).

Additionally, local and regional floras, such as those by Ali and Qaiser (1995-2012), were consulted to aid in the identification of the collected specimens. These resources provided valuable references to cross-check and verify the species identified during the fieldwork. The data gathered from the various field visits across District Torghar were then carefully compiled to create a comprehensive list of tree species. This list includes essential details such as the botanical names, local names, English names, families, and corresponding altitudes of each species, offering a thorough record for further research and conservation efforts.

Table 1: Inventory of tree species collected during floristic biodiversity in Torghar district.

No.	Family name	No.	Botanical name	English name	Local name	Locality	Elevation (m)
1	Anacardiaceae	1	Pistacia integerrima	Pistachio	Kangu	Mangri (Neray khur)	1772
		2	Schinus molle	Pepper tree	Kali mirch	Maira Madakhel	478
		3	Mangifera indica	Mango	Aam	-	-
2	Apocynaceae	4	Alstonia scholaris	Devil tree	Shaitan tree	Judbah	581
3	Arecaceae	5	Phoenix dactylifera	Date	Kajoor	Shagai	491
		6	Phoenix sylvestris	Wild date	Jungli kajoor	Judbah	581
4	Aquifoliaceae	7	Ilex diphyrena	Himalayan holly	Chilgoza	Machai Sar	2675
5	Betulaceae	8	Alnus cordata	Indian alder	Suiri	Mangri	1726
		9	Alnus nitida	Black alder	Suiri	Mangri (Savi feza)	1898
6	Cannabaceae	10	Celtis australis	Hackberry	Batkar	Mangri (Dawar mera)	721
7	Cornaceae	11	Cornus macrophylla	Large-leaf dogwood	Zallat	Mangri (Savi feza)	1948
8	Cupressaceae	12	Cupressus sempervirens	Cypress tree	Saroo	Judbah	581
9	Ebenaceae	13	Diospyros kaki	Japanese persimmon	Amlook	Mangri	1725
		14	Diospyros lotus	Date plum	Jungli Amlook	Mangri (Dawar khwar)	721
10	Euphorbiaceae	15	Mallotus philippensis	Kamala tree	Kamala	-	-
		16	Ricinus communis	Castor oil	Arand	Judbah	581
11	Fabaceae	17	Butea monosperma	Bastard teak	Badar/Dhak	Mangri	1725
		18	Leucaena leucocephala	Lpil lpil	Subabul	Mangri (Dawar mera)	721
		19	Albizia procera	White siris	Sufaid siris	Maira Madakhel	600
		20	Acacia nilotica	Arabic Tree	Keekar	-	-
		21	Robinia pseudoacacia	Black locust	Gul-i-Shah	Mangri (Bagro feza)	1875
		22	Prosopis juliflora	Mesquite	Daivi/ Vilayati Kikar	-	-
		23	Bauhinia variegata	Camels foot tree	Kachnar	Suri kamar	585
		24	Acacia modesta	Acacia	Phulai	-	-
		25	Pongamia pinnata	Indian beech	Sukh Chain	Judbah	553
		26	Albizia lebbeck	Black Siris	Kala siris	Maira Madakhel	600
		27	Dalbergia sissoo	Rose wood	Shesham	Mangri (Dawar khwar)	721
12	Fagaceae	28	Quercus leucotrichophoro	Banj oak	Banj	Mangri	1697
		29	Quercus incana	Oak	Spin Banj	Panjagali	2218
		30	Quercus dilatata	Holly oak	Barungi	Mangri (Bagro feza)	1966
		31	Quercus baloot	Brungi oak	Barungi	-	-
13	Juglandaceae	32	Juglans regia	Walnut	Akhrot	Mangri (Neray khur)	1840
14	Lythraceae	33	Punica granatum	Pomegranate	Anaar	Panjagali	2175
15	Meliaceae	34	Cedrella serrata	The hill toon	Daravi	Maira Madakhel	1200
		35	Azadirachta indica	Margosa tree	Neem	-	600
		36	Melia azedarach	Persian lilac	Bakain / Dhrek	Mangri (Dawar mera)	729
16	Malvaceae	37	Bombax ceiba	Silk cotton tree	Simbal	-	-
		38	Grewia populifolia	Grewia	Ganjar	-	-
		39	Grewia optiva	Bhimal	Phalsa	Maira Madakhel	1200
17	Moraceae	40	Ficus carica	Fig	Anjeer	Mangri (Neray khur)	1772
		41	Ficus benghalensis	Banyan	Bargad	Judbah	553
		42	Ficus nitida	Indian laurel fig	Injeer	-	581
		43	Ficus racemosa	Bodhi tree	Gular/Rumbal	Mangri (Dawar khwar)	721
		44	Broussonetia papyrifera	Paper Mulberry	Jungli Toot	Shagai	491
		45	Ficus elastica	Indian rubber	Rubber tree	Judbah	581
		46	Morus nigra	Mullbery	Kala toot	Maira Madakhel	1200
		47	Ficus palmata	Wild Fig	Jungli injeer	Panjagali	2218
					Table continues on next page.....................
No.	Family name	No.	Botanical name	English name	Local name	Locality	Elevation (m)
		48	Morus alba	White mulberry	Shahtoot	Mangri (Neray khur)	1775
18	Myrtaceae	49	Eucalyptus citriodora	Lemon eucalyptus	Safaida	Mangri (Dawar khwar)	721
		50	Callistemon viminalis	Bottle Brush	Bottle Brush	Judbah	581
		51	Psidium guajava	Guava	Amrood	-	-
		52	Euclyptus globulus	Tasmanian blue gum	Sufaida	Panjagali	2175
		53	Eucalyptus camaldulensis	Red gum	Surkh Sufaida	-	-
19	Oleaceae	54	Fraxinus angustifolia	Narrow-leaf ash	Simbal	Mangri (Neray khur)	1772
		55	Olea ferruginea	Olive	Zaitoon	Panjagali	2150
		56	Olea europaea	European Olive	Zaitoon	Mangri (Dawar mera)	729
20	Proteaceae	57	Grevillea robusta	Silver oak	-	Judbah	581
21	Pinaceae	58	Pinus wallichiana	Blue pine	Kail/Biyar	Mangri	1725
		59	Pinus roxburghii	Chir pine	Chir	Shingaldar	1621
		60	Picea smithiana	Himalayan spruce	Kachal	Mangri (Savi feza)	1948
		61	Cedrus deodara	Cedar	Deodar	Panjagali	2175
		62	Abies pindrow	Himalayan Fir	Fir	Machaisar	2991
		63	Pinus halepensis	Pine	Aleppo pine	Shingaldar	1560
22	Platanaceae	64	Platanus orientalis	Oriental piana tree	Chenar	Mangri	1688
23	Rosaceae	65	Pyrus communis	Common pear	Nashpati	Mangri (Neray khur)	1772
		66	Prunus persica	Peach	Aaroo	-	-
		67	Cydonia oblonga	Quince	Pub	Panjagali	2088
		68	Pyrus pyrifolia	Asian pear	Nashpati	-	-
		69	Pyrus pashia	Wild pear	Batang	-	-
		70	Pyrus pseudopashia	Wild pear	Tangi	-	-
		71	Eriobotrya japonica	Loquat	Loquat	Maira Madakhel	600
		72	Pyrus malus	Apple	Saib	-	-
		73	Prunus persica	Peach	Aaroo	-	1200
		74	Prunus domestic	European Plum	Aloo Bukhara	Mangri (Neray khur)	1796
		75	Prunus avium	Wild cherry	Shereen cherry	Mangri (Dawar mera)	729
		76	Malus hupehensis	Chinese crabapple	Seb (wild)	Mangri (Bagro feza)	1966
		77	Prunus armeniaca	Apricot	Khubani	-	1875
24	Rhamnaceae	78	Ziziphus mauritiana	Indian jujube	Beer	Shagai	491
		79	Ziziphus jujuba	Chinese jujube	Ber	Panjagali	2175
25	Rutaceae	80	Citrus sinensis	Sweet orange	Malta	Maira Madakhel	478
		81	Zanthoxylum armatum	Prickly Ash	Tambar	-	1226
		82	Citrus reticulata	Mandarin Orange	Kenoo	-	600
26	Salicaceae	83	Salix denticulate	Toothed willow	Bara chenar	Mangri	1688
		84	Salix caprea	Pussy Willow	walla	Panjagali	2175
		85	Populus alba	White poplar	Safeda	-	-
		86	Populus nigra	Blake Popular	Sufiada	Mangri (Dawar mera)	729
		87	Salix tetrasperma	Indian willow	Baid liala	Mangri (Neray khur)	1840
27	Sapindaceae	88	Aesculus indica	Indian horse chestnut	Bankhor	-	-
		89	Sapindus mukorossi	Indian soap berry	Rita	Maira Madakhel	900
		90	Aesculus indica	Horse chestnut	Ashanr	Machaisar	2675
		91	Acer caesium	Maple	Trekhan	-	-
28	Simaroubaceae	92	Ailanthus altissima	Tree of Heaven	Barg Raiz Darakht	Maira Madakhel	600
29	Taxaceae	93	Taxus wallichiana	Himalayan yew	Barmi	Machaisar	2612
30	Urticaceae	94	Debregeasia salicifolia	-	Ajali	Panjagali	2150
31	Ulmaceae	95	Ulmus laevis	Elm	Elm	Machaisar	2675

Results

During this study, a total of 95 tree species representing 57 genera and 31 families were documented (Table 1). Among these, gymnosperms (cone-bearing plants) accounted for 8 species from 6 genera across 3 families: Cupressaceae, Pinaceae, and Taxaceae. The remaining 87 species belonged to the angiosperms (flowering plants), which were further categorized into monocotyledons and dicotyledons. Monocots were represented solely by the family Arecaceae, comprising one genus (Phoenix) and two species. The majority, however, were dicotyledons, with 30 families comprising 56 genera and 93 species.

The most species-rich family was Rosaceae, contributing 13.68% of the total species, followed by Fabaceae (11.57%), Moraceae (9.47%), and Pinaceae (6.31%). Myrtaceae and Salicaceae each made up 5.26%, while Fagaceae and Sapindaceae contributed 4.21% each. These eight dominant families together accounted for 60% of all recorded species, indicating their significant ecological presence in the region. The remaining families were represented by three or fewer species, highlighting a more limited distribution or specialization within the study area. This diversity reflects a rich and varied tree flora, underscoring the ecological significance of the region and the need for its continued documentation and conservation. All plant names were family wise alphabetically arranged and presented in Table 1.

Discussions

The earliest comprehensive botanical exploration of Pakistan is documented in Hooker’s Flora of British India (1872–1897), which covered much of the region. Subsequently, R.R. Stewart conducted extensive plant collection across nearly all parts of the country, contributing around 6,000 species to the Herbarium at Gardon College, Rawalpindi. The Flora of Pakistan is a comprehensive inventory of the country’s plant biodiversity, with contributions from approximately 47 botanists. Fazal et al. (2010) documented 211 species across 170 genera and 66 families in District Haripur. In Siran Valley, Mansehra, Shah and Khan (2006) recorded 80 plant species from 49 families, many of which are traditionally used for medicinal purposes. Several regions have recently gained attention in floristic studies. For instance, Haq et al. (2010) reported 402 vascular plant species from 110 families in Nandiar Valley, located in the western Himalayas. Additionally, Khan et al. (2013) conducted a research project focusing on ecosystem services in Naran Valley.

They identified 101 plant species from 52 families that local inhabitants use for various medicinal purposes. Haq et al. (2015) reported 157 plant species from the subtropical zone of the Nandiar Khuwar catchment area in the Western Himalayas, noting that nanophytes were the dominant life form, followed by therophytes. Urooj et al. (2015) conducted a study on the herbaceous flora surrounding Mangla Dam, identifying 37 species across 17 families. A thorough review of existing literature revealed that, prior to this study, no plant specimens had been recorded or collected from District Torghar.

Previously known as Kala Dhaka, this region remained largely unexplored in terms of its plant biodiversity. With this gap in knowledge, the present study was undertaken to explore and document the area’s tree diversity in specific. The findings aim to serve as a valuable baseline for future ecological, ethnobotanical, and conservation research. Our results reveal that the region boasts a rich and varied ecological landscape, supporting a high level of tree diversity. Despite its generally harsh climate, the area hosts a number of tree species, highlighting its significant biodiversity. The vegetation reflects a mix of subtropical, moist temperate, and subalpine ecological zones. Key timber-yielding species in the region include Abies pindrow, Aesculus indica, Acacia modesta, Juglans regia, Picea smithiana, Pinus roxburghii, Pinus wallichiana, and Taxus wallichiana (Haq et al., 2010; Awan et al., 2013).

This checklist of tree species from District Torghar is believed to be the first comprehensive documentation of the area’s tree diversity. It offers valuable baseline data that can serve as a reference for future scientific research. Similar checklists for previously unexplored regions have been published by various researchers and are available in the literature, including works by Zaheer and Sardar (2008), Fazal et al. (2010), Ilyas et al. (2013), and Waris et al. (2013). Badshah et al. (2013) identified Poaceae, Papilionaceae, and Asteraceae as the dominant families in District Tank, Pakistan a pattern also observed by other botanists such as Marwat and Qureshi (2000) and Durrani et al. (2005) in their respective study areas. The dominance of Asteraceae and Poaceae has been further supported by studies from Saima et al. (2010), Hussain et al. (2015), indicating a recurring trend across different ecological zones of Pakistan.

Our findings also highlight the dominance of Rosaceae, Fabaceae, Moraceae, and Pinaceae as the major plant families in the study area. Further research will be valuable in exploring the potential uses of these species for various purposes.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Recognizing the importance of this initial trees’ diversity exploration, the study was designed to identify, record, and classify the tree species present in the study area. By documenting this previously unexplored tree species, the research aims to establish a foundational reference for future studies in forestry, biodiversity conservation, ecological assessment, and other related scientific fields. This baseline data will support informed decision-making for sustainable forest management and environmental planning in the region. Additionally, it is crucial to educate and raise public awareness about the significance of natural resources and plant biodiversity. Conserving the biodiversity of this specific area is essential to prevent its gradual loss and to avoid further environmental challenges, including climate change and its far-reaching consequences.

Acknowledgement

We would like to express our immense gratitude to the worthy Secretary Climate Change, Forestry, Environment and Wildlife and Director General Pakistan Forest Institute, Peshawar, who trusted in our professional capabilities and assigned this task to our division. In addition, we are highly thankful to the concerned Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) and his team for their unwavering support and facilitation throughout our field visits. Furthermore, we are thankful to our supporting staff including Muhammad Asif Khan who helped us a great deal during field visits.

Novelty Statement

The present study is novel because no such study has been conducted before to solely identify and document the area’s tree species diversity, providing a foundation for future forestry research and other aligned disciplines.

Author’s Contribution

Wadood Shah: Conceptualization and writing original draft.

Muhammad Ilyas: Critical analysis, review and editing.

Sanam Zarif Satti: Provided resources.

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

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