1. A FRAMEWORK FOR STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF MEDICINAL PLANTS

2. MEDICINAL PLANTS :an overview
Number of MPs species used medicinally: 35,000 to 70,000 worldwide
Leading exporting countries: China >India > Germany( china & India major producers, > 40% of global bio-diversity.
International market of herbal products = $ 62 billion( India's share in global export = 0.5 %)
In India, herbal sector turnover = Rs cr./annum, with AGR of 20 – 30 %.
India: 47,000 plant sps. 15,000 MPs  > 1000 sps. Are under various degrees of threat
As per latest IUCN list, 200 RED LISTED MPs sps. identified in India (critically endangered- endangered-vulnerable-lower risk-data deficient)
Contd.

3. Threat from: destructive harvesting practices & over exploitation, habitat lost & fragmentation, introduction of exotic sps.
Caretakers : FRLHT, Bangalore; National Medicinal Plants Board (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GOI); Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata.
{Source: D N Tewari, Planning commissions report of the task force on medicinal plants }

4. MEDICINAL PLANTS: a sample list
Latin name
Common name
Prescribed for
Andrographis paniculata
Kalmegh
Fever, malaria, jaundice; useful in increasing appetite and reducing anemia
Aconitum heterophyllum
Ativisha
Fever; also works as an aphrodisiac
Bacopa monnieri
Brahmi
Enhancing memory
Commiphora wightii
Guggul
Reducing obesity; arthritis
Gymnema sylvestre
Gurmar
Treating diabetes
Nardostachys grandiflora
Jatamansi
Epilepsy, hysteria and mental disorders
Picrorhiza kurroa
Kutki
Liver and spleen problems
Saraca asoca
Ashoka
Stopping internal bleeding
Swerita chirata
Chirata
Increasing appetite
Withania somnifera
Ashwagandha
Geriatric problems; reducing stress
{SOURCE: Tewari report, }

5. STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF TMPs in TAMIL NADU: A STUDY BY MANOJ SARCAR
No institutionalized mechanism for study of TMPs, their notification, or regulation of wild harvest.
Little or no literature available about threat position of MPs, forest department- priority for wild fauna over wild flora
Need for a comprehensive policy framework, enlarging existing legal provisions.
Major policy gaps: resource conservation & augmentation, promotion of ISM, organization of transparent trade of MPs.
Areas of study: Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) & the forests of Tamil Nadu.

6. Stake Holders Of MPs At Various Levels
Custodian Local Users Medical Traders/ Research & NGOs/ voluntary
Practitioner Manufactures Edu. Inst organization
Creating awareness among community & younger generation
Reducing gap between public, policy makers & policy implementers
Top Level Management
Education about importance of MPs
Identifying priority areas & policy formulation
Enforcement & preparing manual/ guidelines for prescription plan
Attitudinal change
Using alternatives
Tissue culture
DNA study
Patenting
Propagation
Sustainable harvesting,
Kitchen herbal garden,
Use of substitute
Middle Level Managers
Field level planners
Management plan review
Financial disbursement
Field Staff (Low Level Mgnt.)
Identifying sps. in field
Inventory of plant resources
Forensic lab test
Training of in-situ & ex-situ conservation of MPs.

7. POLICY RECOMMENDATION
Recommendations For The Country/State/Any Unit Area ( including KMTR)
Species specific recommendations for select MPs based on the threat status
Formulation of Policy Consisting
MPs resource survey & inventorisation (staff training, building database)
Strategic issues (identification, preparation, threat assessment, recovery plan)
Technological issues (biochemical technology, in-situ & ex-situ propagation)
Training and capacity building ( HRD)
Operational working plan
Budget and resource allocation.
Additional Legal Provisions to be included in
Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002
Biological Diversity act, 2002
Conservation development model
Short listing of TMPs
Areas of Future Research
Market networks, pricing trends
Propagation techniques
Local community management
Sustainable harvesting of MPs
Stakeholder mapping
Survey
Analysis
Recommendations

8. BENEFIT SHARING ARRANGEMENT: KANI TRIBES
Controversies: Bio-prospecting Initiatives Vs Bio-piracy
BSA between The Tropical Botanical Garden & Research Institute (TBGRI) & the Kani Tribe of Kerala{ a part of the sales of drug developed out of a herb arogya paccha is going to the trust run by the Kanis}
Question arises: How ? Who ? Unverified claims ? Control and allocation ?
Commercialization Vs wholesome & substantial community benefits
IPRs/Controversial patents

9. REFERENCES
A Framework for Strategic Management of MPs( IIMB Management Review, Dec 2005), Manoj Kr. Sarcar
Conserving a community resource: medicinal plants, Darshan Shankar. Kothari et al.

10. THANK YOU !!
- PRAKASH KUMAR JHA (29)
- SUMIT GUPTA (54)