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Ex-situ and In-situ Conservation of Medicinal plants with particular reference

to Jammu and Kashmir State

Javed Iqbal Punjoo (IFS)

(Conservator of Forests, South circle, J&K Forest Department)

email: jk109@ifs.nic.in

Abstract

The Jammu & Kashmir State possesses great altitudinal variation, diverse geological

formation and different climatic zones viz. Subtropical, Temperate and cold Arid resulting in the

diversity in its flora and fauna. The forests of the State have been damaged, like in other parts of

the country, due to intense pressure from the increasing human and cattle population and over-

exploitation. Feeling a dire need to protect and supplement the depleted Medicinal Plant

resource, efforts have been made by the J&K forest department to take intensive and extensive

measures for their conservation and development. The locations where initiatives have been

taken include Reasi, Rajouri, Udhampur, Billawar, Kathua, Jammu, Baderwah Forest Divisions

in Jammu region and Sindh, Bandipora, Anantnag Forest Division in Kashmir region besides Leh

and Kargil Forest Division in Ladakh region.

Introduction

The forest area of the State is 20,230 Sq. km. which amounts to 19.19% of total

geographical area of the state. The Ladakh region is devoid of significant forest cover and is

termed as cold desert. As such excluding Ladakh the Forest area equals to about 48% of the

geographical area of the State.

With the decline in density of dominant species in the natural forest, the associates are

also receding. Some species have even disappeared from a particular location and few others

particularly of medicinal nature are near extinction from some other location. More than 50% of

the plant species used in British pharmacopoeia were reported to grow in the State of J&K.

About 572 plant species have been reported to be of Medicinal value by various sources which

belong to 109 different families of plants. Demand for medicinal plants is increasing due to

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growing recognition of natural products being non-narcotic, having no side-effects, easily

available at affordable prices and sometimes the only source of health care available to the poor.

During the past, medicinal plants were being extracted from the forests regularly by people either

for their domestic or commercial use. The department earlier would regularly put MFP to auction

and the concerned agencies would remove the plant(s) or their part(s) without any consideration

for their conservation.

The Biodiversity and the valuable germplasm occurring in the forests of the state,

constituting its precious bio-resource is not only required to be protected and conserved, but at

the same time developed and tapped judiciously for the sustainable development of the people of

the State and the country, keeping in view the global scenario particularly in the field of

conservation of bio-resources. For the purpose of conservation and replenishment of natural

stocks, extraction of all MFP (actually termed NTFP) except Gucchies and Anardana from forest

were banned in the J&K State for a period of 5 years since 2004 vide PCCF Notification No.

PCCF/MFP/Extraction/111-14 dated 29.06.2004. This order was not reversed till 2013 when, on

the recommendations of an expert committee the J&K Forest Department has lifted the ban on

extraction of NTFP from forest areas, however restricting the removal to the above ground

vegetative and floral portions only without removal or extraction of the below ground

propagating and root portions. The J&K Kuth Act which in the past prohibited cultivation of

certain important Medicinal Plants in J&K State was also amended to facilitate taking up of

cultivation of Medicinal Plants by the people on their own farms, private waste lands and

community lands to meet the requirements of pharmaceutical industry and practitioners of Indian

System of Medicine. Government of J&K has identified the “Cultivation of Medicinal and

Aromatic Plants” as a thrust area in its State Forest Policy 2011. Necessary steps are being taken

to implement this policy by the Government.

Material and Methods

The Medicinal Plants growing in the forests of Jammu & Kashmir are mostly in the form

of Herbs and Shrubs, both annual and perennial. Usually the ripening time is July to October.

Natural regeneration is obstructed by many reasons which include biotic interference, poor seed

set, poor seed viability and harsh climatic conditions. Different measures for augmentation with

artificial regeneration are necessary to multiply these species in different suitable areas by

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vegetative and other means, besides taking other measures for their conservation. Efforts have

been made in the state to undertake cultivation of different Medicinal Plants which are of

commercial importance and include:

Temperate Zone Medicinal Plants (Herbs and Shrubs)

Rheum emodi, Aconitum heterophyllum, Saussurea lappa, Digitalis purpurea, Dioscorea

deltoidea, Artemisia maritina, Atropa belladona, Podophyllum hexandrum, Picrorrhiza kurooa,

Valeriana wallichi etc

Sub-Tropical Area (Herbs & Shurbs)

Acorus calamus, Boerhaavia diffusa, Gloriosa superba, Rauvolfia serpentina, Tinospora

cordifolia, Vitex negundo, Coolebrokia oppositifolia, Solanum surratense, Celastrus

paniculata,etc

Sub-Tropical Area (Tree Species)

Acacia catechu, Aegle marmelos, Cassia fistula, Emblica officinalis, Sapindus mukrossi,

Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia belerica, Terminala chebula, etc

Cold Arid (Ladakh) zone

Hiphophae rhamnoides, Artemisia spp., Rheum emodi, Rumex spp.etc.

Objectives

To undertake survey and inventory of Medicinal Plants.

To promote cultivation and growth of important Medicinal Plant species and

replenish the depleted wild stocks in the forests.

To standardize sustainable harvesting methods for conservation of concerned

species.

To supplement supply of medicinal plants / their parts for use in Ayurvedic /

Unani medicines.

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To explore the commercial viability of growing medicinal plants as an option

in degraded lands to farmers.

To generate Public awareness for need of conservation of Medicinal Plants

and their propagation.

Benefits

Conservation of rare and threatened medicinal plant species of the State.

Reducing the pressure on natural plants coming up in natural forests

Improvement of local health scenario in the villages encouraging traditional

health care system of the State.

Making available the plants and their products for ISM (Indian System of

Medicine).

Employment generation.

Baseline survey/ inventory and occurrence of Medicinal Plants

There is need to conduct fresh survey in forest and other areas to find out different

medicinal and aromatic plants growing therein along with their analytical characteristics such as

frequency, density and species abundance. A stock map of each unit area should follow the

survey report indicating the presence of useful medicinal plant species. Proper identification is

pre-requisite for collection of genuine material as some of the species resemble each other to the

extent that proper differentiation by an expert is most essential. In case of J&K first very

intensive survey of Kuth fields was conducted in the year 1993 as there was lot of demand for

kuth. As reported by different agencies the locational distribution of Medicinal Plants in the state

is as:

Forest Division Location Common Species

Sub-Tropical zone (1000-6000 ft above msl)

Ramnagar Forest Division Kalounta, Saamnabarj, Dudu Emblica officinalis, Sassaurea

lappa, Berberis spp., Viola

odorata, Jurinea macrophylla,

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Cinnamomum

Nowshera Forest Division Forest Reserve Nowshera,

Thandapani closure and Taryath

Emblica officinalis, Gloriosa

superba, Acorus calamus,

pistacia integerima, Zanthoxylum

armatum.

Jammu District

Binyal/Sungal, Nandni, Akhnoor,

Chinota, Mathwar, Parmundal,

Utterwani

Adhatoda vasica, Gloriosa

superb, Terminalia chebula,

Emblica officinalis and other

sub-tropical species.

Kathua Forest Division Kathua Emblica officinalis, Acacia

catechu, Terminalia belerica and

other sub-tropical species.

Sub Tropical to Temperate zone (3000 & 6000-10000 ft above msl)

Rajouri District

Rajouri, Budhal, Sheshra Forest Jurinea macrophylla, Valeriana

wallichi, Acorus calamus and

other temperate and sub-tropical

species.

Billawar Forest Division,

Banjal, Bani Basholi, Sukrala,

Sarthal

Emblica officinalis, Sassaurea

lappa, Jurinea macrophylla,

Valeriana wallichi, Dioscorea

deltoidea, Terminalia chebula.

Temperate to Alpine zone ( 6000 to 10000 ft above msl)

Bandipora Forest Division Athwattu, Tragbal Sassaurea lappa, Jurinea

macrophylla, Aconitum

heterophyllum, Artemisia spp ,

Atropa belladona, Podophyllum

emodi .

Langate Forest Division Bungus, Reshwari Sassaurea lappa, Dioscorea

deltoidea, Aconitum

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heterophyllum, Podophyllum

emodi, Jurinea macrophylla,

Atropa belladona, Artimisia spp.

J.V. Forest Division,

Rafiabad, Gabbewar , Kazinagh,

Uri, Botapathri

Sassaurea lappa, Dioscorea

deltoidea, Podophyllum emodi,

Atropa belladona, Artemisia, spp.

Jurinea macrophylla.

Pir Panjal Forest Division,

Tosmaidan, Doodpathri,

Yusmarg, Dalwan

Sassaurea lappa, Dioscorea

deltoidea, Aconitum

heterophyllum, Picrorrhiza

kurooa, Podophyllum emodi,

Atropa belladona, Artemisia spp.

Jurinea macrophylla.

Anantnag Forest Division Daksum, Qazigund and Kuther

Tral, Chandanwai, Batkote,

Simthan, Margan top

Sassaurea lappa, Dioscorea

deltoidea, Artemisia spp. , Atropa

belladona, Podophyllum emodi,

Saussuera lappa, Rheum emodi,

Jurinea macrophylla.

U F Division Srinagar Zabarvan, Dhara Sassaurea lappa, Podophyllum

emodi, Artemisia spp , Jurinea

macrophylla, Picrorrhiza kurooa.

Kehmil Forest Division Tangdhar, Ramhal, Dera Sassaurea lappa, Dioscorea

deltoidea, Jurinea macrophylla,

Podophyllum emodi, Artemisia

spp. Aconitum heterophyllum.

Shopian Forest Division, Hirpora, Kungwattan Sassaurea lappa, Dioscorea

deltoidea, Jurinea macrophylla,

Aconitum heterophyllum ,

Artemisia spp.

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Marwa Forest Division Chattroo, Sinthan, Marwa Sassaurea lappa, Dioscorea

deltoidea, Jurinea macrophylla,

Aconitum heterophyllum.

Kishtwar Forest Division

Kishtwar, Padder, Machail Sassaurea lappa, Dioscorea

deltoidea, Jurinea macrophylla.

Doda Forest Division Keshwan and Kotal Sassaurea lappa, Dioscorea

deltoidea, Jurinea macrophylla.

Baderwah Forest Division Chinta, Jai, Seoj Sassaurea lappa, Viola odorata,

Valeriana wallichi, Aconitum

heterophyllum, Berberis spp.,

Podophyllum emodi

Batote Forest Division Marmat, Sanasar, Gandhri Sassaurea lappa, Taxus spp.

Mahore Forest Division Sangladan, Gool, Mahore Berberis spp., Jurinea

macrophylla, Sassaurea lappa

Alpine to Cold Arid zone ( 10000ft above msl)

Leh Forest Division Nobra, Nyoma,Choglamsar,

Durbuk

Hiphophae rhamnoides,

Artemisia spp., Rheum emodi,

Rumex spp.etc.

Kargil Forest Division:- Drass, Parkachik, Penzila,

Rangdum, Padam

Innula racemosa, Hiphophae

rhamnoides , Sassaurea lappa,

Aconitum heterophyllum

The forests of Sindh Forest Division are bestowed with wide variety of Medicinal plants. To

determine the percentage presence and frequency of different medicinal species a general survey

during 2004 in this Division has been conducted by the DFO working plan, laying 166 sample

plots of 0.1 Ha each with 6640 quadrates, randomly and the results as depicted in its revised

working plan of 2004-05 to 2013-14 are as under:

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Botanical Name Local Name No. of

Quadrates of

Occurrence

Total no. of

Quadrates

Studied

Frequency

Percent

Rheum emodi PambChalan 2921 6640 44.00

Allium atropurpuream Van-Pran 736 6640 16.58

Jurinea macrophylla Dhup 2109 6640 31.76

Aconitum heterophyllum Patis 302 6640 4.55

Artimisia spp. Tethwen 4111 6640 61.91

Podophyllum emodi VanWangon 3724 6640 56.08

Viola odorata Bunafsha 3935 6640 59.26

Malva sylvestris Sochal 3306 6640 49.79

Picrorrhiza kurooa Kour 103 6640 1.55

Lavatera cashmiriana ReshaKhatmi 1034 6640 15.75

Adiantum venusatum Geo-Theer 4276 6640 64.40

Juniperus communis Vethur 124 6640 1.90

Sassaurea lappa Kuth 498 6640 7.50

Sedum crassips Pala-Nuner 283 6640 4.26

Aspleneum falcatum 312 6640 4.69

Glycyrrheza glabra Kahzban 447 6640 6.73

Dioscorea deltoidea Kenas 3411 6640 51.37

Valeriana wallichi Mushk-Bala 2103 6640 31.67

Foeniculum vulgare JungliBadyana 1806 6640 24.40

Colchicum luteum SuranjanTalakh 236 6640 3.55

Innula racemosa Poshkar 502 6640 7.56

The J&K State Forest Research Institute (SFRI) has conducted a quick survey in Gurez-

Tilel valley with altitude ranging from 2300 – 5209 m for Medicinal Plants distribution.

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Artemisia brevifolia & Saussurea costus are reported the most important plants found in

abundance. The survey conducted in compartments 34/K, 47/K, 15/K, 56/K, 57/K, 58/K, 62/K,

24/T, 43/T, 28/T and 34/T by SFRI has revealed that area is still rich in medicinal plants,

common out of which as found in the survey plots are shown as under. The area has a promising

potential to develop the herbal industry on a sustainable basis if proper regulatory & protective

measures are adopted. However a complete survey is required to be done in this direction

throughout the state.

R

umex nepalensis

F

erula jaeschkeana

T

araxacum officinale

D

ioscorea deltoidea

A

conitum heterophyllum

S

alvia nubicola

A

rtemisia absinthium

R

heum austral

A

rtemisia brevifolia

C

ynoglossum glochidiatum

T

rillium govanianum

F

ragaria vesca

P

lantago lanceolata

V

iola sylvatica

F

ragaria vesca

V

erbascum Thapsus

H

eracleum lanatum

B

erberis pachyacantha

H B

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yoscyamus niger etula utilis

P

odophyllum hexandrum

L

athyrus humilis

S

aussura costus

J

urenea macrocephala

V

iola sylvatica

S

milax vaginata

P

olygonatum verticillatum

A

lthaea officinalis

V

aleriana jatamansii

J

uniperus macropoda

C

henopodium album

I

nula racemosa

M

entha piperita

Rosa webbiana

Planting Stock / Nurseries

The J&K Forest Department has established nurseries and is further in the process of

revival of old Drug Farms in phased manner for production and propagation of germplasm /

nursery stock required for planting out in the field to supplement the depleting stocks of naturally

growing species in the wild. The main herbal species grown include Pyrethrum spp, Atropa

belladona, Valeriana wallichi, Artemisia spp, Dioscorea deltoidea, Digitalis spp, Lavendulla spp

etc.

Name of the

Drug

Location Established

during

Total Area

(ha)

Effective

Area (ha)

Plant

Potential

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Farm/Nursery (Lac Nos)

Dedranbagh Ganderbal 2004 03 03 2.00

Mujmandoo Anantnag 1988 30 03 1.32

Pathribal Co-69/V, Kukernag

Anantnag.

1958 23 10 8.00

Dandipora Co-5/K, Duksam

Anantnag.

1958 08 06 3.00

Malhar Nursery Ganderbal 2006 2.5 02 1.00

Chuntibagh Co-39/G, Gulmarg

Tangmarg.

1963 20 9.75 7.00

Dadikote Co-74/N, Kehmil

Kupwara.

1963 18 12 6.50

Herbal Garden Co-38/ Gulmarg

Tangmarg

2003 3 1.25 1.50

Jajjar kotli Jammu 2000 0.5 0.25 0.80

Harya chak Kathua 1995 0.5 0.4 1.00

Manyal/Rajouri Rajouri 2011 1.0 0.75 1.20

Choglamsar Leh 1970 0.5 0.20 0.10

Conservation of Medicinal Plants

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In-situ Conservation is usually the preferred conservation strategy for capturing and

conserving Medicinal Plant pockets in their natural habitats. Stress is laid on identification of

Medicinal Plant areas having rich biodiversity of genetic resources that have priority, usually at

the species level on the basis of present or potential socio-economic value of the species and

their conservation status in the ecosystem along with group of its associate species. The area-

specific action plan and networking of natural sites has to be considered to be the most important

aspects of in-situ conservation activities. The ecological requirement of many of the species is

complex. Hence moving them out of their own area of comfort to new area may sometime prove

counterproductive. Hence by improving the protection, removing all kind of threats is one of the

important steps towards insitu conservation. Conservation units are not kept too small because

this will cause continuous loss of genetic diversity by the effects of genetic drift and increased

inbreeding. Considering this, the area has got to be large enough for maintaining the genetic

integrity of the original population and for generating enough seed production.

Even though PAN which includes National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves,

Community reserves etc. are mainly targeted for animal species, yet these areas enjoy more

protection and stringent laws which benefits them and provide the best type of protection

methodology for all the animal and plant species existing there which include the medicinal

plants as well. The J&K state having 5 NP and 14 sanctuaries is subjected to another peculiar

biotic interference in the form of migratory/nomadic graziers. Even though, it is one of the

important economic activity and a major source of protein to its people, still they pose lot of

threat to medicinal plants and its conservation efforts. As these activities are kept at a lowest

inside PAN networks, apart from protecting the principal species, it also helps in protecting

tertiary species like medicinal plants. Some of the PAN areas like Dachigam NP and Rajpariyan

Sanctuary in Anantnag district have more bio-diversity, more medicinal plants wealth due to

reduced human interference there. Some of the reserves like Achabal Conservation Reserve

(Rakh) have thick forests and are denser compared to nearby compartments/forests.

The scientific management of forests can provide enabling environment for the medicinal

plant species to flourish. It involves canopy manipulation to provide light, controlling of other

unwanted species, control of Invasive species, removal of humus to provide ground access to

seeds of medicinal plants, soil and moisture conservation works to prevent soil erosion and to

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improve soil moisture regime etc. Enabling environment also involves getting the public support

for the protection. As forest dependent communities are major stakeholders, it is very important

that they get the benefit out of medicinal plant conservation programmes. Involving JFMCs is

one of the activities. Severe restrictions can only give counterproductive results. Providing

employment opportunities and sharing economic benefits with JFMCs can definitely help.

Medicinal Plants Conservation Areas (MPCAs)

The concept was experimented by FRLHT Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health

Traditions (FRLHT) – a Bangalore based Non Government Organisation (NGO). It has

established 34 MPCAs in South India. The establishment of MPCAs is to create so-called

„hand-off- areas‟. However the management of MPCAs as „hand-off areas‟ remained debatable.

Strict protection of MPCAs as envisaged is found to be difficult. The major lessons learned by

FRLHT with regard to the sustainability of the in-situ conservation are useful for any state

including J&K to replicate, which include that:

• the interest of the State Forest Departments in the MPCAs needs to be sustained

• an appropriate village level organisation is put in place to ensure active participation of

local village communities for the protection and management of MPCAs

• the management of the conservation areas should be provided for

• the role, the conservation efficiency and the regulation of use of the MPCAs is

clarified as a basis for future plans and monitoring.

Ex-Situ Conservation of Medicinal Plants

Ex-situ conservation involves the process of protecting an endangered species and

developing it outside its natural habitat. For medicinal plants, Ex-situ Conservation aims at the

conservation concern by way of raising of nurseries, seedling supply, plantations and by

establishing medicinal plant gardens. Establishment and Management of Ex-situ Conservation

stands requires the complete knowledge of the forest trees, shrubs and herbs which have

developed complex mechanism to maintain high level of genetic diversity, both inter-specific and

intra-specific . It provides the building blocks for future evolution, selection and human use in

breeding for a wide range of sites and uses. Ex-situ conservation of medicinal plant resides

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within and among populations of target species. It includes either simple seed collection, storage

and field plantings or more intensive plant breeding and improvement approaches. The important

aspect of ex-situ conservation is to maintain a wide range of phenotypic and genotypic range of

diversity of a species and to propagate the species outside its original natural provenance in a

more controlled way. The choice of species for ex-situ conservation is made on the basis of the

current local importance of the species, economic value for the subsistence of local population,

ecological and geographic considerations and capacity for natural regeneration and the current

conservation status.

However many factors which include disease, pests and environmental requirements etc.

limit the scope of Ex-situ conservation of many plant species. Even though ex-situ conservation

measures can come handy, they cannot prevent a species from getting extinct. Also some species

cannot be grown outside their natural habitat due to its association with other organisms, specific

minerals etc.

Plantation on private land through seedling distribution

Because of Social Forestry Project in the State, the farmers have adopted tree planting.

Efforts are underway to popularize Medicinal Plants plantation in farm lands. For this purpose

training on plantation and extraction techniques shall have to be imparted to farmers.

Herbal Gardens:

Herbal gardens in the different climatic zone of the State are in the process of

establishment viz Kangan in Ganderbal district ( Temperate zone), Rajouri and Manyal in

Rajouri district ( Sub-tropical zone) and Choglamsar in Leh district ( Cold desert zone). The

main objectives are to i) conserve Medicinal Plants and demonstrate their cultivation

technology, ii) establish a gene pool of indigenous and exotic species for conservation, research

and propagation, iii) popularize the cultivation and use of medicinal plants in the area amongst

local people, iv) establish medicinal plants resource base on sustainable basis, v) develop a

centre for tourist attraction to help popularize the Indian Systems of medicine and vi) raise and

distribute quality Medicinal Plant seedling or its propagating material among the local farmers.

To begin with the formation of herbal gardens in the state have been initiated over an area

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of about 2 Ha each with an intention to extent it gradually. Standardization of post harvesting

technology including storage conditions is also aimed at. Proper cost effective Irrigation system

is preferred. A polyhouse, Reception cum demonstrative centre / hut, small children park,

aesthetically designed walkways with proper landscaping and herbal beds, hedges are also made.

Seed Banks:

The special process like cryopreservation of germplasm in the form of seed for long years

as one of the measures has to be undertaken. There can also be a kind of special type of

arboretum where in plants can be grown repeatedly to collect and preserve seeds till viability

lasts. Presently such kinds of facilities are available at experimental stage with SK University of

Agricultural Science and Technology „Jammu‟ and SK University of Agricultural Science and

Technology „Kashmir‟.

Capacity building, Training Programme and Research

In order to make medicinal plants conservation programme successful, there is need for

training the front line staff from Forest Guard to Forest Ranger officer level. It is also essential to

provide training to JFMCs so that their support can be harnessed in the medicinal plants

conservation.

Capacity building, creating awareness and involvement of local communities is yet to be

properly taken care of among all the stakeholders through training, exposure tours, awareness

campaign etc. In Ladakh region initiatives have been taken for training private stakeholders for

proper techniques for cultivation, collection of berries of Hiphophae rhamnoides and its

conversion into pulp through Cooperative Societies for better yield and more profitable

marketing.

To enhance the productivity level as well as for ensuring the sustainability of the

activities the works shall be aimed at the following items:-

The conduct of research activities, assessment study, enumeration of Medicinal Plant

population density, evolving regeneration techniques, developing appropriate plantation

techniques and technique for extraction of medicinal content are also required to be done through

different resource agencies.

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Stakeholders

These include : People- the actual user of medicinal plant and its derivatives, traders,

Traditional vaids- practicing the Ayurvedic or the Unani method of treatment, Tribals i.e Gujjars,

Bakerwals and Gadies, Forest department-the major custodian of naturally available medicinal

plant resource and Research organizations/Universities/NGOs.

Results - work done by the Department

The demand, economics and existence of natural growing areas has necessitated the

measures to be taken towards conservation and development of Medicinal Plants on large scale

which simultaneously provide livelihood avenues for the local communities. The efforts of the

Forest Department has resulted in bringing 1093 ha under the programme in Jammu & Kashmir

during 4 years from the period 2009-10 to November 2012 with planting mainly of different

herbal species along with other trees and shrubs which suit most to the locality.

S. No Activity Region Location Area (ha) Plants (Lacs)

1 (Insitu) Conservation Jammu Baderwah, Katra and Panchari 80 1.25

Kashmir Naranag, Lammar and Domail 135 3.90

2 (Exitu) Development

of MFP

Jammu Baderwah, Jai, Katra, Panchari,

Ramkote and Udhampur

523 9.95

Kashmir Naranag, Gund, Sonamarg,

Kangan, Gagangir, Poshkar and

chattergul

331 16.24

Ladakh Nobra, Choglamsar, Nyoma,

Durbuk and Kargil

20 2.00

3 Herbal Garden Jammu Rajouri and Manyal 2 1.10

Kashmir Poshkar 2 0.40

4 Distribution 1.30

Total 1093 36.14

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Conclusion

The In-situ measure for conservation of medicinal plants alone cannot be successful as

number of factors like biotic interference, unforeseen natural calamities etc. effect the success.

Even though area under PAN in J&K state is one of the largest in India, yet In-situ conservation

has not to be left alone to PAN areas wherein the exploitation is restricted. The methodology for

conservation of medicinal plants both In-situ (along with establishment of MPCAs) and Ex-situ

has to be adopted in combination, besides initiatives for scientific propagation of Medicinal

Plants on required scale. Again, it is very essential that livelihood of forest dependent

communities are kept in consideration as they are the major stake holders to share the benefits. It

is also very essential to improve the capacity of front line staff to equip them to face the present

day challenges in conservation of medicinal plant wealth.

References

Floristics & Productivity Studies of Gurez-Tulil, J&K State Forest Research Institute,

Srinagar

Publications of FRLHT, Bangalore

Report on Medicinal Plant conservation and development in J&K of the Forest

Department

Working plan Sindh Forest Division, Ganderbal Kashmir, J&K state.