Medicinal Plants: On the Road to Extinction – Greater Kashmir

Nature has endowed the Kashmir Himalayas with a vast diversity of medicinal plants, but in the last two decades, the illegal trade in these plant species has increased at an alarming rate. Most of our medicinal plants are on the verge of extinction due to overexploitation, especially for illegal trade, to name a few species: Trillium govananium (Kashmirian name, ‘Tripater’), Allium royeli (‘Vani-e-praan’). Another plant species that has been relentlessly collected over the past two years Fritillaria royeli (‘Seeth khaar’). This plant species is said to treat eighty diseases in the traditional system of medicine. These plant species are also the source of some new molecules, formulations and medicines.

In the period 2012-2015 our research team assessed the protection status of Trillium govananium and it was found to be endangered in Kashmir Himalaya and now the species is endangered in the whole Himalaya, the main reason is illegal trade. If no conservation measures are taken, we will lose this plant species forever in the near future. During our field survey in 2019, the period of Covid pandemic, we saw a huge population of Fritillaria royeli in Sarkund area of ​​Wadwan valley. But by the year 2024 almost all of it is gone, the reason for this is illegal trade. The most unfortunate part is the unscientific collection/extraction of such plant species from their natural habitats.

In both the above mentioned species the whole plant is taken from its natural habitat without leaving any sexual or vegetative propagules in its natural habitat. This unscientific practice is disastrous for the existence of these plant species. There is an urgent need to conserve this valuable resource for sustainable use. The government and non-governmental agencies should take immediate and concrete steps to conserve this precious wealth. We should keep in mind the people living in these areas and educate them that sustainable trade is the basis for the livelihood of communities in the present and future.

Although there is a law called ‘Kuth Act’ in Jammu and Kashmir to conserve and protect medicinal plants, the enforcement of this law on the ground seems to be ineffective. There is overharvesting and illegal trade in these plant species, placing most of the valuable plant species in various endangered categories of IUCN. This law, popularly known as ‘Kuth Act, 1920’ was enforced to conserve and protect plant species (Sassurea lappa) locally known as ‘Kuth’. The main objective of this law was to stop illegal trade, extraction and export of this plant species.

Attention to wildlife trade has increased globally in recent years and it has been suggested that the focus of conservation should be broadened and that most species should be included in the context of conservation projects. This will help with effective policy interventions, awareness of wider threats from trade and will also broaden conservation efforts.

The diversity of approaches to wildlife trade can be enhanced by expanding trade monitoring to a wider variety of taxa; collecting core ecological data to inform assessments of the sustainability of trade; improving and co-designing conservation interventions with key stakeholders and trade actors; and developing appropriate strategies for managing the supply, trade and demand for diverse wildlife products to ensure that species and livelihoods are protected.

Some conservation biology experts have recommended that research efforts are needed to collect data on the species affected by wildlife trade, both legal and illegal. Such research could inform evidence-based responses to their trade. The data on transport, supply chains, and practical responses are important for the sustainability of the trade. Sustainable trade in these natural resources is in the best interests of all, but to achieve this vision,

By: Dr. Aijaz Hassan Ganie, Department of Botany, North Campus, University of Kashmir