Animals and Healing in the Himalayan Hills

In the high mountains of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, people have lived for generations by turning to nature’s gifts for health. The area is a patchwork of cultures, each with its own stories about how animals can help cure sickness. Yet scientists have only just begun to listen. Researchers are now traveling to remote villages, talking with elders and healers who keep secrets about which creatures’ parts are mixed into teas or poultices. They note that goats, sheep, and even smaller mammals play roles in treating everything from fevers to wounds. The goal is to record these traditions before they fade.The study also looks at why communities use animals instead of plants. In places where certain herbs are scarce, animal products can be more reliable. Understanding this balance helps protect both people and wildlife. By documenting these practices, the project hopes to bridge modern medicine with age‑old wisdom. It also raises questions about conservation: if a species is prized for healing, what does that mean for its future? The research invites us to think about how culture and nature intertwine.