Medicinal Plants Status, Habitat Degradation Factors and Rehabilitation Possibilities in Sra Ghurgai Protected Area Takatu Mountain Range Quetta Pakistan

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.