Exploitation of Endemic Medicinal Herbs of Manipur
- A threat to rich bio-resources of Hills -

K D Sharma *

Flowers and Plants as captured through the Lenses of Jinendra Maibam in June 2010

Introduction:

Manipur has a geographical area of 22,327 sq km in the extreme North-Eastern border of India. It lies between 23.83 - 25.08 N latitude and 93.03 -96.98 E longitude on the laps of the Himalayan ranges in the north-eastern India. The various altitude in central valley plain to surrounding hill ranges from 760m to 3048 m M.S.L. the rainfall varies from 1000-2000 mm the topography, climatic zones and rainfall pattern endowed the State with rich flora and fauna and the State is one of the two Mega biodiversity hot spots of India. The State has four climatic zones viz Alpine zone, Temperate Zone, Sub-tropical Zone and Tropical Zone.

Present Scenario:

The diverse agro-climatic conditions, has created the State a home to large number of flora out of which as much as 400 plant species are recorded to have immense therapeutic/healing value. These plant species have been identified of their traditional value but are yet to make further scientific and commercial exploration. Still a large number of plant species traditionally used, as medicinal plants remain unidentified.

There are plants species, their natural habitat are specifically confined within a small geographical areal territory and even in a particular location. Districts like Ukhrul, Senapati and Tamenglong have tremendous flora resources which is an indication to the potentiality of unexplored prospects of Medicinal & Aromatic Plant Species (MAPs) for building strong economy through commercialization.

The untapped medicinal plant resources have however been made use for their livelihood and also making a component of secret trade. Valuable medicinal plant species are continuously extracted from their wild habitats for sale to buyer across the borders. The business transaction of Biomass across the border is carried out in rampant without knowing the actual values of the biomass that are sold and the ultimate impact on environment and future consequences/ outcome to our resources is radical.

Bio-Resource Threat:

Over the last few decades biodiversity particularly of hills has shrunk to an alarming point due to continuous bio pressure exerted over land, water and natural resources. The quantum of replacement made and that of consumed has a large gap. This gives a shaky fulcrum that tends to swing ecological balances in the region and triggers to elevate Climate Change and Global Warming.

Easiest way of earning is to pick up anything in demand from their natural habitats for sale. That involves no production cost, no manpower and no investment however, at the cost of future generation, environment, ecology and obviously seeding poverty in our society.

The act of ignorance and ill practices of the people has resulted in bringing valuable plant spps. Viz.

• Panax pseudoginseng;
• Taxus baccata,
• Paris polyphyla,
• Sweritia chiriata,
• Wild Dendrobium spp,
• Thalictrum spp,
• Kaempheria galanga,
• Smilex lencifolia,
• Piper graffiti etc

1. Identification of valuable plant species with the background information on their traditional uses and prevailing trade prices etc.
2. Documentation of the identified plant species (MAPs).
3. Creating awareness amongst the population.
4. Rehabilitation of families involved in MAPs trading from natural habitats.
5. Display Photographs of the plants with Messages in local dialect/languages in Schools, Church, Parks, Banks, Hotels, Public & Private Institutes.
6. Describe the present losses and estimated damages in future out of bio erosion.
7. Ex-Situ and In-Situ Conservation of MAPs identified.
8. Capacity building through improving traditional knowledge and technology enrichment.
9. Developing model Herbal Garden with 20-30 plant species (identified MAPs) with proper label information on their uses.
10. Area expansion of the selected MAPs.
11. Organising Mela / Exhibition creating a common platform for Producers, Potential Buyers, Stakeholder, and Investors.
12. Constitution of Market Committee at the level of Locality, Sub- Division and District.
13. Creation of Market infrastructures for MAPs
14. Setting up Primary Processing Units for MAPs.

1. Creating workforce constituting, representatives of reputed NGO (local), Expertise of State Govt. line departments headed by District Administrative Head.
2. Baseline Survey by the work force.
3. Documentation and Projectisation work based on survey Report.
4. Programme Implementation with regular review and monitoring.