Cite this article:
Agrawal, Pandey and Swarnakar (2016). Conservation & Documentation of Medicinal Plants: Through Man Made Forest. Journal of Ravishankar University (Part-B: Science), 29(1), pp.74.
OB-B05
Conservation
& Documentation of Medicinal Plants: Through Man Made Forest
SC Agrawal, Nayan Kumar Pandey
and Anuradha Swarnakar
PCCF (Adl) Dept of Forests, Govt.
of Chhattisgarh, Raipur, India
Ayurvedie Medical
Officer/Physician, CG State Minor Forest Produce Co. Fed. Raipur (C.G.)
PMU, CG State Minor Forest
Produce Co. Fed. Raipur (CG)
Corresponding auther email: shirish0504@gmail.com
[Received
25 Jamuary 2016, accepted I February 2016]
Abstract: Chhattisgarh
has about 44% of state geographical area and accounts for 13% of the country's
total forest cover, and is habitat to variety of trees, shrubs, herbs and
climbers, that are valuable for medicinal use. The national and state forest
policies emphasize the need for conserving the natural heritage of country by
preserving remaining natural forest with many varieties of flora and fauna,
which represents a remarkable biological diversity and genetic resource of the
country. Indian Ayurvedic medicines constitute a large part of the traditional
medicines over the world. Demand of traditional medicines has been increasing,
thus the commercial use of medicinal plants is in increasing trend. Due to
destructive harvesting practices, lack of awareness about conservation and importance
of medicinal plants among the people, sustainability of these plants is a major
challenge. The study was conducted with the objective of conservation and uses
of the medicinal plants in a "Man Made Forest" developed by
ethnomedicine enthusiast near Airport Road, Raipur (C.G.). In this study we
report 76 types of medicinal species which are collected from Forest of
Chhattisgarh where Asparagus recemosus, Rauvolfia serpentina, Withania
sominifera, Cleistanthus collinus, Flacourtia indica and Spilanthes acmella
etc. were found to be the dominant species. It is an excellent effort to
conserve rare-endangered species. This concept could be beneficial for
students, botanists, traditional-healers, research scholars, Pharma sectors and
Ayurvedic professionals. Gene pool conservation, capacity building of forest
dwellers and farmer can also be initiated through this noble concept. To
enhance the conservation of medicinal species this concept should be
implemented all over the country. It would be a tremendous effort if the start
up of this concept is initiated through our Prime Minister's dream project
"Start Up India".
Keywords:
Ethnomedicine, Wishania somnifera, Start up India