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Herbs' extinction: Chhattisgarh takes preventive steps
by Ajay Sharma

          Raipur: Chhattisgarh forest department officials have joined hands with the tribals for the conservation of herbs to prevent the gradual extinction of herbs at several places in the Dhamatari region. The forest department's concern holds significance considering the fact that 44 per cent land area in Chhattisgarh is covered by forest. Since the forest is rich in the production of varieties of gum, fruits and honey, an effort is being made to process these forest products and later market them. In this direction, around four thousand hectares of land has been declared as protected area and the utilisation of herbs is being promoted. "Around 4,000 hectares of land is protected under forest conservation project. The main aim behind this is to conserve the herbs that are becoming extinct. We along with the tribals and forest conservation officials are working for the preservation of these rare herbs and in the promotion of utilisation of the herbs in daily life," said Alok Katiyar, Divisional Forest Officer. Centres for primary processing of honey have been set up at the local level of some villages as part of the initiative. Tribals have been encouraged to learn and participate in the collection of honey and thereby earn their livelihood. They are paid rupees 60 per kilograms for honey collection. In Dhamatari division, a fibre processing centre, leaf plate making centre and honey processing unit are operational. The villagers here collect the forest products and sell them at the village level committees. Besides, the processing of Phool Bahari, Triphala, Tikhur rhizome granules have also been encouraged. Among the numerous Indian herbal plants in great demand are Aloe Vera (meant for healing wounds and burns), Arnica (improves blood supply, accelerates healing), cardamom (for digestive problems, Gastralgia), cinnamon (useful for stomach pains and cramps). According to an estimate by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the demand for medicinal plants is around 14 billion dollars per year. Another estimate by WHO says the demand for such plants will increase more than five trillion dollars in 2050. The annual trade of medicinal plant in India stands at approximately one billion dollars.
- December 22, 2006