A Case Study of Ethnobotany in Iran: Pas-Qaleh Village of North Tehran
Résumé
Iran, the heartland of the Iranian plateau, covers an area of 1,648,195 km 2. The diverse topological and climatic condition of Iran leads to a great extent of diversity in its flora, which is estimated to include near 8100 plant species. Consequently, a complex historical relationship between the inhabitants of various parts of Iran and their environment has developed over time in the country. Pas-Qaleh village, the site of this research, is located in the southern slopes of Alborz Mountains, in the northern vicinity of the Tehran Megalopolis. Pas-Qaleh is simultaneously separated from and connected to Tehran by Darband valley, a narrow rocky passage. This chapter revealed that the inhabitants of Pas-Qaleh collect and use nearly 100 plant and fungus species, from their immediate environment for the preparation of their traditional food and medicines, performing their rituals and ceremonies and satisfying other needs. The impact of plants on the thoughts, stories, and folk science of the Pas-Qaleh inhabitants was found to be considerable. The study also revealed the constant pressure imposed on the villagers, their environment, as well as their traditional lifestyle by the fast process of urbanization and the growing number of untrained eco-tourists.
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