摘要：The wetlands of Kashmir are highly productive life support systems and are of immense socio-economicalvalue to the people. The present studies concern with wetlands viz., Khushalsar, Anchar, Ahansar, Waskursar,Mansbal and Wular lake, which fall on the flood plains of River Jhelum and enjoy typical rural environment.The littoral zones of all these wetlands are occupied by emergent aquatic plants like Typha angustata andPhragmites communis, followed by rooted floating leafy aquatic plants like Nelumbo nucifera, Nymphaeaalba, Nymphoides peltata, and Trapa natans which are extensively used for fodder, food and medicinalpurpose. In the present study survey of such valued aquatic plants, their density, frequency, phenology, dryweight and therapeutic values were recorded in order to assess their role in maintaining the health of theirusers. The distribution frequency and density of various aquatic plants varied from wetland to wetland whichcould be because of availability of nutrients and the nature of the bottom sediment. It has been observed thatthe local knowledge on such valued plants abounds and their use is an important link between the dwellingcommunities and the biodiversity of the area.
