Nepal Journal ofScience and Technology 7 (2006) 123-133

Plant Diversity, Ethnobotany and Conservation Issues at

Swoyambhu World Heritage, Kathmandu, Nepal

K. ShresthaNatural History Museum, Tribhuvan University

Swoyambhu, KathmanduEm ail : kesh ab s hr es th a@hotm a i l. com

AbstractLying at western corner of the Kathmandu city, the Swoyambhu hillock (1a03.76m) represents a surviving pristine

foresi in the metropolitan capital ofNepal. Once an extension of Jamaca (2096m) with luxuriant sub-tropical forest

is now invaded by dense human population and other developmental activities. This hillock is still rich with a total

plant species of jtS. Of them, 65 are trees, 43 shrubs, 194 herbs andlT climbers. Northern slope of the hillock is

ii"t in-tree species with scaffered patches of under-growing bushes and fems, whereas southern, western and

eastem slopes are much disturbed with exotic species of plants, creating challenges to the norms of the heritage

standard. Domination by Pinus roxburghii (chire pine) and Eucalyptus,Jacaranda andCallislemon, etc are altering

the indigenous nature of the hillock. And also the forested hillock has been randomly utilized for refreshment,

yoga, ayurbedic remedy and food. Due to growing constructions and exploitations, the forested hillock is now

facing a threat to maintain its pristine ecosystem.

Keywords: soil erosion, forest composition, exotic, negative effect

lntroductionUNESCO designated Swoyambhu as one of spots ofworld heritage in 1979. HMG/LINESCOAJNDP have

identified 29 historical settlements and 33 monumental

zones in rural areas and 13 monumental zones in urban

areas in Kathmandu valley. There are approximately 885

monuments and heritage sites in the valley and

Swoyambhu is one ofthe important cultural and historical

places, located 5 km west of Kathmandu city and is

situated at an altihrde of 1500m above the sea level. HMG(1999), on the basis of Land Resource Utilization Map,(1984) estimated that Kathmandu valley has 20,945 ha

(32.7%) of lutd are4 whereas Swoyambhu has occupied

only about 37 ha (Oli, Ghimire & Kunwar 1999) InKathmandu valley the physical state of the cultural and

historical sites and the monuments are fast deteriorating.

Swoyambhu World Heritage is no less exception. From

the historic period Swoyambhunath suffered from many

attacks. At many occasions UNESCO delegates (1993,

1998, 1998) suggested the govemment of Nepal to take

serious steps to improve the image of world heritage.

Thking consideration of this point, attempt has been made

by Natural History Museum to study the status of natural

resources ofthe area (Pradhan, Shrestha, Shah, Shrestha

& Khanal 2000). The Swoyambhu area is still covered

by few suweying pockets of forest. Most of the area is

under the influence of human communicities. The sub-

tropical flora of this part are Schima wallichii, Celtis

australis, Pyrus pashia, Zizyphus incurva, Castanopsis

i n dic a, P ers o e o o dor at is s im a, P er s e a dut hi ei, Li t ho c opttselegans, Acer oblongum, Eurya acuminata, Diospyrus

tomenlosa, Ilex excelsa, Stranvaesia nussia, Alnus

nepalensis, Grewio optiva, Alyrsine capitallata, Ficus

lacori Slzygium cumini, Ci nnamomum tamala, Mallotus

nepolensis, etc (Shrestha 1 99 1). Shrestha (l 99 l) reported

67 species ofwild plants from Swoyambhu hillock during

a study on the food habits of Rhesru monkey. He also

reported l4 species of bamboo from this area (Shrestha

199?). In one study, Bastola (1991) found I 54 species ofplants from Swoyambhu hillock. Don (1976) reported

27 type specimens of plans as new record to science and

ennumerated 52 native plants from the collectio ofBuchanan and Hamilton carried out in l80l-02 inSwayambhu hillock. [n recent years, the hillock is facing

serious problem due to human encroachment and also

the dominance of exotic plants over native flora existing

in th is part. Shrestha ( I 998) reported a t otal of 64 species

of plants from Swoyambhu area, but the information is

still lacking about the introductions of exotic plants in

this holy place. Some ofthe introduced plants in this area

are Eleagnus latifolia, Elaeocorpus sphaericus, Aegle

marmelos, Berberis as i qti ca, Jacor anda mimosifoli a,

Grevi llea robustq, Callistemon c itrinus, Fi cus elastica,

Araucaria bidwilli, Thuja orientalia, Tuus baccata,

t23

K. ShresthaA.{epal Joumal of Science and Technolo gy 7(2006) 123_133

surrcunding the ancient lakes, which tumed into fertile

r,Thapa & Amatya (l 989). Ahill (fig.2) indicates that

in a dome of rock with a thinlayer of soil all the four slopes of the hillock where forestdeveloped in due course of time. The dome of the rock

The soil of the north face still has indigenous pristineforest, on the contary tle southem face contains scatteredforrest with human settlement

Methodology

all year round inlant qpecies wereherbarium and

mrseum specimens to keep in the muserun. For simplicity

Fig. 3. Oll'ered rice by the pilgrims are also collected tbralcohol preparation.

are

ofthe

existing forest situation in Swayambhu World heritageSite (SWH).

Results and DiscussionThe results have been present in tables (1,2, and3). Thepresence and abseNorth is indicatedgiven dependingwithin the zuea. C, O and I are used to denote their statusviz. commoq occasional and intoduced respectively. Thisstatus has not been mentioned for fems due to lack of

way, status ofoutwhetherthey

t24

Fig. 2. Litter collection damage the seedling.

.+D: : : : : : : ]1: ilt : : : I I : I : , i: :lItuf

Fig. l. Plastic garbage m SWH site

Orname ntal,medicine

0mamental

0manental

Modicinal

Medicinal

Edibte

Medicinal,edible

Fodde( thatching

Dryoptuirlaceae

Dryoperidace

'Pteridsceae

Aspleniaceae

Dryopteridaceae

fteridaceae

Pteridaceae

ftcridaceae

Dryopteridaceae

Pteridaccae

DrySerirlaceae

Dryopteridaceae

Pteridaceae

Pteri&ccae

Dryopteridaceac

Dryoptcridaccae

Dryopteridaceac

Davdlliaccae

Dryopteridaceae

Gleicheiiaceae

Dry@teridaceae

I Ptendaceae

fteridactac

Sdlizacaceae

Dryoptcridaceae

ftcri&ceac

Davalliaceaec

Davalliactae

Pteridactae

Ptcridaceae

Reridaceae

Pteridaccac

Dryopteridaccae

Dryoptcridaceae

Polypodiaceae

Selaginellaceae

Dryopteridaceae

Dryoptcridactae

Kali sinki

lwagane-zenmai (J)

fem shoot, Niuro

Parcwa lahara

Pani amala, Tana+hid4 (J)

Sword fen (E)

Pmiamala

Moejima-sltida (J)

Ruk pate unuc

Atlryrium drepanopterum

Athyrium foliolosum

A foliolosum

A, capillus-venens

Asplenium indicurn

Athyrium drepanoptcnrnX

Athyrium pectinatun

Adianhm caudatum

A philipperse

Adiantum incisum

Athyrium pectinatum

Cheilantlres albornarginata

Ckistella appendiculata

Chri$etla dentata

Cheilanthes btmlor

Coniogramme fraxinea

\optuis codleata

Dryopteris sparsa

Dryopteris caroli-hopei

Davallia trichornanoides

Depana patenenii

D[cranopteris linearis

Drpluium spctabile

Hypolepis polyPloides

Hyplepis punchata

Lygodiun flexuous

Masothelyptens omata

Microlepia khasiyana

I Nephrolepis auriculata

Nepkolepis cordrfolia

P aspericaulis

P biaurita

P creiica

Pteris vittata

Pseudocyclosorus tYlodes

Polystichum lenatum

|nosia rnannii

Selaginella vaginata

Thelypteris appendiculoides

T dentata

Tectana coadnata

K. Shrestha.rNepal Joumal of Science and rlechnology 7(2006) 123'133

Ta b le 1.,Enumeration' of ferns df Swoyambhu: h i I lookLocal Status

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

6,

7.

8.

9.

t0

llt2

13.

14.

15.

16.

11.

18.

t9.

20.

2l

22.

23

24.

25

26.

27.

28

29.

30.

3t.

32,

33

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

125

Table 2. Enumeration ofS N Scientific Names

K. Shrestha,4rlepalJoumal of Science and Technolo Ey 7e006) 123-133

of Swoyambhu hillock

Local Satatus

40 Achyranthesbidentata

4l Ageratum haustorium

42

43 Amaranthus spinosus

44 Acer oblongum

45 Achyranthes aspera

46 Ageratum conyzoides

41 Alnus nepalensis

48 Altemantherasesilis

49 Amaranthus caudata

50 Amaranthus viridis

5 I Amorphophalus bulbifere

52 Amanita caesarea

53 Anaphalis busua

54 Anagallis arvensis

55 Anthraxonlancifolius

56 Ardisia macrocarpa

57 Arisearnajacquemontii

58 Argemone mexicana

59 Artemisia lrlgare

60 Asparagus filicinus

6l Bambusa nutans

62 Bambusa multiplex var. $raita

Datiwan

Ban lunde

Phirphire

Datiwan

Ganc, Ganthe

Utis

Lattc

Banlunde

0le

Salla chyau

Bu swa

Amora

Danai Phal

Sungure kanda

Titepati

Kurilo

Malbans

Pau

Bhende kuro

Kuro

Cargalo, China grass

Sarsyun

Bhimsenpate

Taper

Chiya Pate

Bhang, ganja

Tori ghans

Panwar

Kasmarda,Chine hire

Katus

Khari

Ghodtapre

Kanike ghans

Bethe

Amaranthaceae

Compositae

Amaranthactae

Aceraceae

Amaranthaceae

Compositae

Betulacae

Amaranthaceae

Amaranthaceac l - I-Amaranlhaceae | -

Araceae

Compositae

Primulaceae

Graminceae

Myrsinaceac

Araceae

Papaveraceae

Cornpositae

Liliaceae

Gramineae

Gramineae

Medicinal/religious

Medicinal

lMedicinal ,Edibte

Fodderfimplements

Medicinal/rel i$ouVweavi ng

Medicina.l

Mcdicinal/edible

Medicinal/edible

Medicinal/edible

Edible

Edible

Religious

Medicinal

Blibldmedicine

&lible

Medicinal / poisonal for lerfMedici nal/non-breverage drenk

Medicinal/edible

Construction

Weaving

Medicinal

Medicinalp/edible

Weed

Medicinal/fibre

Medicinal,Religious

Medicinal/edible

For tea, beverage

Edibldmedicinal/cordage

Edibldmedicinat

I Edible, medicinal, construction

Medicinal, implements

Medicinal/ediblc

Medicinal

Edible/medicinal

Medicinal

Medicinal/edible

Medicinal

Spicdmedicinal

Edible, medicinal

Medicinal

Medicinal

Medicinal

Fodder

Medicinal

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

0

0

C

C

0

0

63 Barleria cristata

64 Bidens pilosa

65 Biden bipinnata

66 Boehmeriaplatyphylla

67 Brassica campesffis

68 Buddlejauiatica

69 Clerodendronchinense

70 Cassia Tora

7l Carnellia kisi72 Campanula pallida

73 Cannabis sativa

14 Capsellabursa-pasloris

76 Casia occidcntalis

76 Casia sophera

71 Ca$anopsis indica

78 Celtis australis

19 Centella asiatica

80 Chamaesyccprostrata

8l Chenopodium album

82 Chcnopodiumambrosoides

83 Choerospondiasuillaris

84 Chrysopogonaciculatus

85 Cinnamomum Camphora

86 Cinnamomum tamala

81 Citrus limon

88 Clerodendrumviscosum

89 Cnicuswallichii

90 Commelina paludosa

Conyza bonariensis

92 Conyzajaponica

93 Crassocephalumcrepidides

94 Cuphea procumbens

95 Cuscuta europaea

96 Cuscuta reflexa

Lapsi

Kapur

Tejpat

Jyamil nebu

Chitu

Salah jhar, Anikale jhar

Sulpha phul

A kasbeli

Amarbeli

Compositae

Compositae

Urticaceae

Crucrfenceae

Logaginaceae

Verbenaceae

Leguminosae

Theaceae

Campanulaceae

Cannabaceac

Gruciferac

Leguminoseae

Leguminoseae

Fagacere

Ulmaceae

Umbelliferae

Euphorbiaceae

Chenopodiaceae

Chenopdiaceae

Anacardiaceae

Cranineae

Lauraceac

Lauraceae

Rutaceae

Labiatae

Compositae

Commelinaceae

Compositae

Compositae

Cornpositae

Lythraceae

Convolulaceae

Convolwlaceae I

C

0C

0

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

0

C

C

cC

C

0

C

C

C

C

C

0C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

c

C

C

126

K. Shrestha/Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 7(2006) 123-133

97. Cyathula tomentosa Kapase kuro Atnaranthaceae 0 98 Cynodon dactylon Dubo Gramineae Medicinal/religious c 99. Cynoglossum zeylanicum Kanike kuro Boraginaceae Medicinal 0 100 Cyperus cyperoides Cyperaceae 0 IOI Dactyloctenium aegypticum Gramineae c 102 Datura mete! Kalo daturo Solanaceae Medicinal/poisonous 0 103 Datura strarnonium Dhaturo Solanaceae Medicinal/poisonous c 104 Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Tamabans Gramineae 0 105 Dichrocephala integrifolia Hachhoyanka jhar Compositae Medicinal c 106 Dicliptera bupleuroides Acanthaceae ... c 106 Digitaria setigera Gramineae c 108 Dioscorea bulbifera Tarul Dioscoreaceae Edible/medicinal 0 109 Diospyros malabarica Tendu Ebenaceae 0 110 Dipl(X.)'clos palmatus Shivlingi Cucurbi taceae Medicinal/soap 0 Ill Drymaria diandra Abijalo Caryophyllaceae Medicinal/edible/marcha c 112 Duchesnea indica Bhuikaphal Rosaceae Medicinal/edible c t 13 Duranta erecta Nil kanda Verbenaceae Hedge/medicinal Naturalized 114 Euphorbia heterophylla Euphorbiaceae c ! IS Echinochloa colona Gramineae c 116 Ehretia macrophylla Thulo lodha Cordiaceae Medicinal c 117 Elephantopus scaber Gomukhi Compositae Medicinal, marcha 0 118 E!eusine indica Kodejhar Gramineac c 119 Emilia sonchifolia Compositae c 120 Eragrostis nigra Gramineae c 121 Eucalyptus alba Masai a Myrtaceae Planted 122 Euonymus hamiltonianus Ban Chitu Celastraceae Medicinal/fodder c 123 Eupatarium adenophorum Banmana Compositae Medicinal c 124 Euphorbia hirta Dudhejhar Euphorbiaceae Medicinal/fodder c 125 Eurya acuminata Jhingane Theaceae c 126 Eclipta prostrata Bhangeri jhar Compositae 0 127 Ficus pumila Yomari Moraceae 0 128 Ficus religiosa Pi pal Moraceae Medicinal/religious/fodder C4 129 Ficus benghalensis Bar Moraceae Medicinal,religious C22 130 Ficus lacor Kabro Moraceae Medicinal.edible c 131 Fimbristylis dichotoma Pani mothe Cyperaceae Medicinal.fodder 0 132 Flemingia strobilifera Leguminosae I 133 Fraxinus floribunda - Lankuri, Ash Oleaceae Medicinal, pole c 134 Gallinsoga parviflora Chiltange jhar Compositae Medicinal, poisonous c 135 Gentiana pedicellata Gyanjak Gentianaceae Edible, medicinal 0 136 Geranium nepalense Rakla mula Geraniacea Medicinal, edible c 137 Gnaphalis affine Kairo jhar Compositae Medicinal 0 138 Grangea maderaspatana Gobrejhar Compositae Edible c 139 Grewia optiva Syal fusro Tiliaceae Fibre.edible/fodder c 140 Hedera nepalensis Kathe lahoro Araliaceae I 141 Hedychium spicatum Pankha phul Zingiberaceae c 142 llex excelsa Puwanle, Nepal holytree Aquifoliaceae Edible, fodder c 143 lmperata cylindrica Siru Gramineae Medicinal, fodder, thatch c 144 lpomoea purpurea Convovulaceae Medicinal c 145 Justicia procumbens Acanthaceae c 146 Justicia adhatoda Asura, Malabar nut {E) Acanthaceae Medicinal 0 147 Kyllinga brevifolia Cyperaceae 0 148 Lantana camara Kanike kande, Sage bush(E) Verberaceae Medicinal, eater hedge, poisonous c 149 Ligustrum confusum Kanike, Privet (E) Oleaceae c 150 Ligustrum indicum Keri, Wax tree Oleaceae Fodder pole, medicinal 0 151 Lippia nodiflora Kurkure jhar, Toodstool (E) Verbenaceae Fodder, pole c 152 Lithocarpus elegans Arkhaulo Fagaceae Fodder, edible, medicinal 0 153 Lonicera macrantha Juhi, Japanese honey suclde(E Caprifoliaceae Ornamental I 154 Marus pumilus Scrophulariaceae Medicinal c 155 Melia azadaerach Bakenu, China-henry (E) Meliaceae Medicinal, poisonous c 156 Michelia champaca Chanp Magnoliaceae Medicinal furniture, religious, dye 0 157 Morus macroura Kimbu, mulberry {E) Moraceae Edible, medicinal, furniture c 158 Myrica esculenta Kaphal. Box myrtle {E) Myricaceae Edible, construction, dye 0

127

K. Shrestha/Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 7(2006) 123-133 '

159 Nerium indicum Karbir, Oleander (E) Apocynaceae Medicinal,poisonius.omamental 160 Nelumbo nucifera Kamal Nelumboriacea Edible,medicinal,religious Extinct 161 Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Solanaceae 0 162 N. tabacum Surti, Tobacco (E) Solanaceae Medicinal, smocked c 163 Oenothera rosea Bhuigulphi Onagraceae Fodder c 164 Oplismenus burmannii Ote ghans Gramineae Fodder c 165 Osmanthus fragrans Silinge Oleaceae Medicinal c 166 Oxalis comiculata Chari amilo Oxalidaceae

~ Medicinal, eaten c

167 Oxalis latifolia Chari amilo, Sorrel (E) Medicinal, eaten dye 168 Paspalum distichum Knot grass, lanai ghans (E) Gramineae Fodder c 169 Peperomia tetraphylla Piperaceae c 170 Persicaria hydropiper Ratnaulo, Water piper (E) Polygonaceae Medicinal/poisonous c 171 Persicaria posumbu Seto pi re Polygonaceae Medicinal c 172 Pinus roxburghii Salla, Chirpine Pinaceae Medicinal. Seed. edible, Construction c 173 Plantago erosa lsabgol. lspaghola (E) Plantaginaceae Edible, medicinal c 174 Plectranthus moll is Labiatae c 175 Plumbago zeylanica Chi tu Plumbaginaceae Medicinal 0 176 Persicaria perfoliata Bakhre ankhla Polygonaceae Medicinal, edible, fodder, rosary c 177 Prunus cerasoides Paiyu Rosaceae Medicinal, fodder c 178 Psidium guajava Amba Myrtaceae Edible. medicinal, beverage c 179 Pyrus pashia Mayal Rosaceae Medicinal.edible, stick, fodder c 180 Ranunculus sceleratus Nakkore Ranunculaceae Medicinal,poisonous. but edible c 181 Reinwadtia indica Py au Ii Linaceae Medicinal I 182 Remusatia vivipara Pinda Araceae Edible, medicinal 0 183 Rorippa dubia Cruciferae c 184 Rubus ellipticus Aiselu Rosaceae Medicinal.eaten c 185 Rumex nepalensis Hal hale Polygonaceae Medicinal, edible c 186 Russula sp Mushroom (E) 0 187 Solanum aculealissima Kaltaiva Solanaceae Medicinal 0 188 Solanum anguivi Bi hi Solanaceae Medicinal 0 189 Solanum nigrum Jangali bihi Solanaceae Medicinal, edible c 190 Setaria plicata Gramineae c 191 S suranense Kantakari Solanaceae Medicinal c 192 Saccharum spontaneum Kans/Rathi/Dhaliva Gramineae c 193 Salix babylonica Bains Salicaceae c 194 Sambucus canadensis Jaliphul Sambucaccac c 195 Sarcococca coriacea Buxaceae Medicinal c 196 Sapindus mukorossi Riltha Sapindaceae Medicinal, soap 0 197 Schima wallichii Chilaune Theaceae Medicinal, poisonous, construction c 198 Scutellaria discolor Nilobultle ghans Labiatae Medicinal ('

199 Sida acuta Sano chilya Malvaceae Medicinal.fiber c 200 Sida rhombifilia Balu Malvaceae Medicinal,fiber c 201 Siegesbeckia oriental is Kuro Compositae Medicinal 0 202 Sonchus asper Compositae c 203 Sporobolus diander Gramineae c 204 Sporobolus fertilis Gramineae ('

205 Stellaria media Caryophyllaceae c 206 Stephania glandulifera Gujar gano Menispermaceae Medicinal I

207 Strobilanthes pentaslemonoides Acanlhaceae 0 208 Syzygium cumini Jamun, black berry (E) Myrtaceae Edible, medicinal ('

209 Taraxacum officinalis Dudhe jhar, dandelion (E) Compositae Medicinal c 210 T rachelospermum lucidum Apocynaceae I 211 Tridax procumbens Husurejhar Compositae c 212 Trifolium repens Pyauli. clover Leguminoseae Medicinal, fodder c 213 Urtica dioica Sisno Urticaceae Medicinal, edible c 214 Verbena officinalis Bhekpati Verbenaceae Medicinal 0 215 Viola pilosa Aadhle, gatha ghas Violaceae Medicinal 0 216 Xanthium strumarium Kastola, Bhede kuro Compositae Medicinal, poisonous c 29 217 Xylosma controversum Dare Kanda Flacourtiaceae c 218 Zingiber chrysanthum Chandra tara Zingiberaceae 0

219 Zizyphus incurva Hade hayer Rhamnaceae medicinal

128

K. Shrestha/Nepal Joumal of Science and Technology 7(2006) 123-133

Table 3. Enumeration of Introduced Plants of bhu hillock

I

)

3

4

5

6

1

8

9

IO

ll12

l3

t4

r5

t6

t7

l8

l9

20

21

22

23

24

25

lb

27

28

29

30

3t

32

33

JC

35

36

37

J6

39

40

4t

42

43

44

45

46

41

48

Araucaria horizontalis

Abrorna augusta

Acorus calamus

Abrus precatoris

Aegle marmelos

Aeoniurn arboreum

Agave cantula

Aloe vera

Amomum subulatum

Aptenra oordifolia

Araucaria bidwillii

Asclepias curassavica

Bacopa monnieri

Berberis asiatica

Bergenia ciliata

Brassaiopsis hamla

Butea buteiiormis

Callis[cmon citrrnus

Cassia fistula

Catharanthus roseus

Calendula offlcinallis

cestrum noctumum

Coreopsis grandiflora

Chanaecyparis funebris

Clerodendrum japonicum

Cinnamomum glaucescens

Colocasia esculenta

Costus spcciosus

Corx lacruy*rna-jobi

Crateva unilocularis

Cuphea hysopitolia

Cymbidiurn aloifolium

Cyphomandra betacea

Daphiniphyllum hunalensc

Dendrobium amoenum

Echevena agavoides

Elaeocarpus sphaericus

Eleagnus iniundibulans

Enrada phaseoloides

Erythrina arborescens

Euphorbia pulchenima

Euphorbia cotinifolia

E royleana

Ficus benjamina

Ficus ela$ica

Cazania nivea

Ginko biloba

Grevillea robu$a

Bojho

Lalgedi. licorice (E)

Bel

Aeonium (E)

Sun keod4 Century plant (E)

Ghiu kumari

,\laichi

Aptenia

Kadesallo, Monkey puzle (E)

Machhaphul, Blood flower 1E)

Nur, rnedha gin

Chutro

Pakhanhd, Rockfoil (E)

Chuletro

Bhuletro

Kalkiphul, Bottlebrush (E)

Raj brikshya

Na.vantarq Periwinklc ( E)

Bhuitara

Haina, Rat ki rani

Tick seed ( E)

Putalidhupi

Dhagophul

Sugandha kolila

Karkalo

Kastha, Betlauri

Bhirkaula, Job's tear (E)

Sipligan

Falsc heather (E)

Orchid

Tyam matar

Raschan

0rchid (E)

Echeveria (E)

Rudrakshya

Madilo

Pangra

Theki kath

Lalupate, Poinsctia 1 E)

Hierba mala

Suindi

Sami

Rabar

Gyalian ( E)

Bal kumari

Kargiyo rukh

Ethnobotany

Omamenlal

Medicinal,fibet

Medrcrnal,fibelrosary

Medicinal/religious

Garden plant

Fiber,hedge

Medicinal

Spice,condiment

omamental

Edible,fuel,fence

Medicinal

Mcdicinal

Medicrnal,edible fence, dye

Medicinal,edible

Fodder

Medicinal

Avenue tree, religious

Medicinal,cdible,charcoal

Medicinal;omanental

0rnamental

0mamental

0manental

Guden tree

0mamental

Edible

Edible, medicinal

Medicinal, beads, fodder

Edible, medicinal, implernenl fodder

0mancntal

Edible

Omamental

0marnental

Edible, medicine, religious

Edible

Medicinal,pisonous

Medicinal

Medicinal, omamcntal

0mamental

Medicinal, edible

Medicinal

0mamental

0mamental

Edible, omamentai, construction

Medicinal, cordage

Araucanaceae

S terul iaceae

Araceae

Legumrnosae

Rutaceac

Crassulaceae

Agavaceae

Lrliaceae

Zmgiberaceae

Aizoaceae

Araucariaceae

Asclepiadaceae

Scrophulariaceae

Berberidaceae

Saxifragaceae

Araliaceae

Leganinoseae

Myrtaceae

Leguminoseae

Apocynaceao

Cornpositae

Solanaceae

Cornpositae

Cupresaceae

Verbenaceae

Lauraceae

Araceac

Zrngiberaceae

Gramineae

Capparaceae

Lvthraceae

0rchidaceae

0rchidaceae

Crassulaceae

Elaeocarpaceae

Elaeagnaceae

Leguminosae

Leguminosae

Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbiaceae

Moraceae

Moraceac

Compositae

Ginkgoaceae

Proteaceae

r29

K. Shrestha/Nepal Joumal of Science and rechnolo gy 7(2006) r23-r33

49

50.

5l

52

53

54

55.

56.

57

58

59

60

6t.

62

OJ

64

65

66.

67

68

69

70.

7t

72

73

74.

75

76

71

78

,nl

Junipenx squamata

Lanlana cemara

Lonicera japonica

Maesa chisia

Mahonia napaulensis

Mentha arvensis

Mirabilis jalapa

Mimosa pudica

Nicandra physaloides

Nyctanthes arborrisris I panjar

Hedera nepalensis

Hemerocallis fulva

H omalocladium platycladan

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Hypaicum uralum

Hypoestes phyllostachya

lndigifera sp

Tradescantia pallida

Jacaranda munosifolia

Jasminum humile

J ollicinale

J. gracile ]

Oberonia falconeri

0enothera biennis

0puntia rnonocantha

Plumerra rubra

Pilsa cadieri

Punica granatum

Rhus parviflora

Ricrnus communis

Rhus succedanea

Rhynchostylis retusa

Saurauia napaulensis

Sedum urmentosum

Spiraea micrantha

Spilanthes calva

Spondias pinnata

Taxus wallichiana

Thuja orientalis

Pipalpate

Vaji phul, orange dayJily (E)

Ribbon bush (E)

Rukta puspi

Ural

Pilka dot plant, Sim kura

Jakaranda (E)

Pahelo jai, yellow jasmine (E)

Lahare jai China chameli

Chameli, Jasmine Dhupi

Kanike kanda

Juhi

Bilaune

Jarnaane mardro

Pudina

Pani amala

Lajwanti

lshmagoli

Orchid (E)

Pitamber

Nagphani

Chuwa

Kamle, Aluminium plant (E)

Anar, Pomegranate (E)

Sati bayer

Ander

Rani bhalayo

Orchid (E)

Gogan

Stonecrop (E)

Sano khareto

Lato ghans

Amaro, golden apple (E)

Barme salla

Mayur pankhi

Gurjo

Ank-htaruwa

Ulte kuro

Indian cres (E)

Sugandhawal

Dhaiyaro

Araliaceae

Liliaceae

Polygonaceae

Malvaceae

Guttiferae

Acanthaceac

Leguminosae

Commelinacae

Leguminosae

0leaceae

0leaceae

0leaceae

Cupressaceae

Verbenamae

Caprifoliaceae

Myrsinaceac

Berberidaceae

Lamiaceae

Nyctaginaceae

Leguminosae

Solanaceae

0leaceae

0rchidaceae

0nagraceae

Cactaceae

Liliaceae

Bignoniaceae

Araceae

Euphorbiaceae

Apocynaceae

Urticaceae

Punicaceae

Anacardiaceae

Euphorhiaceae

Anacardiaceae

0rchidaceae

Dracaenaceae

Saurauiaceac

Crassulaceae

Rosacee

Compositae

Anacardiaceac

Taraceae

Cuppresaceac

Craminea

Menispemacae

Meliaceae

Tiliaceae

Tropaeolaccae

Valerianaceae

Lytluaceae

Rutaceae

Medicinal,fodder

Omaflental

0mamental

Medicinal,dye

Mcdicinal

0mamental

0mamental

Medicinal, hedge, omamental

Medicinal

Medicinal, omamental incense

Hedge, medicinal

Omamental

Medicinal,edible, religious

Medicinal,edible

Medicinal,edible

Medicinal

Medicinal, religious, dye

0mamcntal

Fruit edible, omamental

0manental

Religious,medicinal

0mamental

Medicinal, hedge

Omamcntal

Medicinal

Medicinal,edible

Medicinal, poisonous

Fruit ediblc, poisonous

Medicinal, omamental

Edible, medicinal, fodtler

Hdge

Medicinal,edible

edible

Medicinal, construction

omamental

Broom, fodder, hedge

Medicinal

Medicinal, fuel, oil

Fibre

0mamental

Medicinal

Medicinal, dye

Omithogalum umbellaturn I Smr-of-Berhlehem 1E)

Oroxylurn indicum Tatalo, Trampet flower (E)

Philodendron bipinnatifidum I philodendron (E)

Phyllanthus pawifolius I Thulo khareto

80,

8t

82

83

84,

85,

86

87

88

89

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98.

99

r00

Sansevieria tnfasciata I Cajmoti. snake plant

Thysanolaena maxirna | .trtisoTinospora sinensis

Trichilia connaroides

Triumfetta pilosa

Tropaelum majus

Valeriana jatamansii

Woodfordia fruticosa

C = common, E = English name, J: Japanese name, all thers Nepalese names

130

medicinal

:l

K. Shrestha/\lepal Journal ofScience andTechnology 7(2006) 123-133

Fig. 4. Underground floor in the north ot'swayambhu hill-ock is covered by !'ems and other vegetation

Big. 5. Euoryrnus hamiltonianurz, a medium size tree ofSwayambhu

Atotal of 39 species of fems (Thble l) are rcportedin this paper. They are mostly seen on the northernslope. Western slope is also good for fem habitat. Thenorthern slope is damp due to sunlight. This mightbethe reason why this place has become suitable for thegrowth of varied fern species. Majority of westernslope is occupied by P inus roxburghji. It cur be noticedttnt this land is totally devoid not only of ferns butother grourd flora as well. Species like Coniogramme

fraxinea, Athyrium drepanopterum, Diplanziumspectable, Dryopteris cochleata, Pteris vittata,Thelypteris molliuscula and Adiantum incisum aneabundant in the form of colony. Herbs which includesfern also stand to be 194, shrubs stand to be 43 (Fig.7), climbers to be l7 and trees comes to be 65.In total391 species of plants have been recorded from theSWH site.

In a small area of 37 hactares of land six rypes offorests (Fig.6 and 7) have been classified dependinguponthe tree category. Eastern slope shows abundancyof pine forest, Ilex forest, Schima forest and pyrusforest. Western slope has been categoried with thepresence of pine forest and schima forest. Similarly,

l'ig. 7. Aenal view of Swayambhu, alter U. Miiller-Boker(1 e85)

southern slope contains Ilex forest, Eucalyptus forestand Schima forest, the Northern lope contairs Alnusforest, Pyrus forest and Schima forest. Most of thesouthern part is dominated by Lantana comara, a\invasive shrub disturbing the spreading ofindigenoustree species. In SEP many medicinal plants andindigenous trees have been introduced (Table 3). Atthe southwest slope, temples, school and Stupa haveoccupied a large area with many exotic plant speciesintroduced in their periphery.

Fig. 6.'linospom sinensis,introduced lbr its medicinal value

Fig. 7. Aerial view of Swayambhu, alter U

131

K. Shrestha,/Nepal Joumal of Science and Technology 7(2006) 123-133

Figure 8 gives the ethnobotanical information ofplants at Swayambhu world heritage site. This hillockis inhabited principally by Buddhist monks, Newar,Guvajus, Gurumas. Besides, Gita Mandir andAnandakuti School, Bihars and Museum have alsoplayed some role in the ethnobotanical activities in theheritage site. Local Tamang people are dependent on

the resources of the hill forest for recreation, wood,fodder, animal grazing and other domestic puryoses.At the same time, people from all around come to thehillock to collect medicinal and food plants for theirdomestic purpose.

The present study revealed 140,59, 30,23,12,12, 3, 5 and 25 species of plants used as medicine,food, ornament, foddel poison, religious, wood, dye,beverage and other purposes respectively. These dataare the outcomes of the observations and interviewswith the local people.

Joshi and Vaidya (2000) documented I 06 species

as medicinal from this hillock, which are used in some33 different purposes. In this study 34 species havebeen added in the list of medicinal plants fromSwayambhu.

Some of the points to be addressed for theconservation of natural heritage of Swoyambhu hillockare:

l. Properly follow the direction of SwoyambhuMaster plan 1998. The master plan mentionsrecoveries of lost natural components includingforest elements, and preserve the landscape bynot disturbing and altering any sites merely forconstruction and development.

2. Introduce only indigenous Nepalese plants andremove all exotic, invasive and alien speciesincluding chir pine to maintain its pristineenvironment.

3. Pond, water sprout and streams around the hillockshould be protected from disturbances such as

forest cutting, road development, Mane (Wheel)wall and Chaitya construction, and other physicalalteration in and around the heritage site.

4. Litter collection and cutting of old treesunnecessarily should be strictly controlled.

5. Small path, picnic spots and gathering of any kindshould be avoided and be practiced in theallocated areas only by not hampering the plantsand other wildlife . People should be encouragedto walk along the designated paths and not in theforest.

6. Aff waste material shouldbe managed andgrazng

of animals should be strictly controlled ifmanagement and conservation efforts have to bemade successful.

Swoyambhu hillock is vulnerable to ereion, as

the encroachment by the outsiders is becomingalarming. Bajracharya (2001) noted that existingforestland of the Swayarnbhu hillock cannot ary morebe called indigenous. Similarly Hagmuller, Thapa and

Amatya (1989) have emphasised on the improvementof the environment of Swayambhu forest by plantingindegenous species and talk necessary managementmeasures in accordance with the norm of the worldheritage.

AcknowledgementsThe Institute ofScience and Technology, TribhuvanUniversity supported this study. My thanks are

due to my colleagues at Natural History Museumwho participated in the program. Mr. Raj ManMaharjan of Natural History Museum, T.U., Nepalis specially acknowledged for his contribution indrawings

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