Ethnobiology and Biocultural Heritage of Walnut (Juglans regia L.) in Northern Pakistan
| Monday, July 27, 2026 |
| 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM |
Speaker
Ms Habiba Shah
Mphil
Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Ethnobiology and Biocultural Heritage of Walnut (Juglans regia L.) in Northern Pakistan
ISE Congress 2026 Abstract
Ethnobiology and Biocultural Heritage of Walnut (Juglans regia L.) in Northern Pakistan
Abstract
Walnut (Juglans regia L.) is a culturally and economically important tree that is deeply integrated into the food traditions, material culture, and livelihoods of mountain communities in Northern Pakistan. Throughout Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral (including the Kalash valleys), Swat, and Dir, walnut has long served as a biocultural resource influencing seasonal activities, craftsmanship, and local economies. However, the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) related to walnut faces increasing threats from commercialization, outmigration, and climate-related changes that affect its phenology and productivity.
We carried out ethnobotanical fieldwork (2024-2025) using semi-structured and structured interviews, market surveys, and participant observation during harvests, festivals, and household processing. A total of 120 informants (63 men, 57 women) aged 20–75 took part. Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Use Value (UV), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) were determined.
Across all regions, we recorded 58 uses of walnut across 10 categories: foods, medicines, rituals, cosmetics, dyeing, utensils, furniture, musical instruments, and agroecological functions. The Kalash valleys focused on ritual breads and walnut butter associated with seasonal celebrations. In Swat and Dir, walnut wood was essential for carpentry, dowry chests, and musical instruments. Gilgit-Baltistan communities highlighted carvings for tourists and emerging women-led value addition. The highest agreement was found for culinary uses (RFC = 0.72) and dermatological remedies (ICF = 0.81).
Our findings reveal that walnuts are a biocultural keystone species whose importance goes beyond practical use to include identity, memory, and intergenerational knowledge. Protecting this heritage needs community-led management, sustainable harvesting, support for women’s expertise, and climate-resilient cultivation methods. Preserving walnut traditions is crucial not only for biodiversity conservation but also for maintaining cultural resilience among high-mountain societies in Northern Pakistan.
Ethnobiology; Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK); Juglans regia; Biocultural Heritage; Mountain Societies; Pakistan
Abstract
Walnut (Juglans regia L.) is a culturally and economically important tree that is deeply integrated into the food traditions, material culture, and livelihoods of mountain communities in Northern Pakistan. Throughout Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral (including the Kalash valleys), Swat, and Dir, walnut has long served as a biocultural resource influencing seasonal activities, craftsmanship, and local economies. However, the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) related to walnut faces increasing threats from commercialization, outmigration, and climate-related changes that affect its phenology and productivity.
We carried out ethnobotanical fieldwork (2024-2025) using semi-structured and structured interviews, market surveys, and participant observation during harvests, festivals, and household processing. A total of 120 informants (63 men, 57 women) aged 20–75 took part. Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Use Value (UV), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) were determined.
Across all regions, we recorded 58 uses of walnut across 10 categories: foods, medicines, rituals, cosmetics, dyeing, utensils, furniture, musical instruments, and agroecological functions. The Kalash valleys focused on ritual breads and walnut butter associated with seasonal celebrations. In Swat and Dir, walnut wood was essential for carpentry, dowry chests, and musical instruments. Gilgit-Baltistan communities highlighted carvings for tourists and emerging women-led value addition. The highest agreement was found for culinary uses (RFC = 0.72) and dermatological remedies (ICF = 0.81).
Our findings reveal that walnuts are a biocultural keystone species whose importance goes beyond practical use to include identity, memory, and intergenerational knowledge. Protecting this heritage needs community-led management, sustainable harvesting, support for women’s expertise, and climate-resilient cultivation methods. Preserving walnut traditions is crucial not only for biodiversity conservation but also for maintaining cultural resilience among high-mountain societies in Northern Pakistan.
Ethnobiology; Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK); Juglans regia; Biocultural Heritage; Mountain Societies; Pakistan
Biography
i am a master's student in ecology and conservation.i am working on the conservation and ecology of walnut in the Hindu-Kush and Himalaya
