Hundreds Of Medicinal Plant Species In Uttarakhand Are Now Endangered. Here's Why
Due to uncontrolled deforestation, urbanisation, climate change, and excessive exploitation, several species of medicinal plants in Nainital, Uttarakhand, are on the verge of extinction
Nainital, also known as the Lake City of Uttarakhand, is renowned not only for its scenic views but also for its rich forest wealth. The region is home to several medicinal plants, but these are now under threat. Many of the plant species are on the verge of extinction, and experts warn that without proper conservation efforts, these rare plants may soon disappear.
Dr Lalit Tiwari, Professor of the Botany Department at DSB College, Nainital, states that the district hosts a total of 1,613 plant species, of which 184 have medicinal significance. There are 498 fodder species, 60 species used in religious rituals, 40 species of timber, and 270 other plant varieties. However, many of these species have become endangered.
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Causes Behind the Decline of Medicinal Plants
According to Professor Tiwari, indiscriminate deforestation, urbanisation, climate change, and the over-exploitation of medicinal plants are the primary reasons for their decline. Local communities often harvest these plants without following scientific methods, leading to their rapid depletion. The endangered species in Nainital’s forests include rare plants such as Malaxis acuminata (Jeevak), Lilium polyphyllum (Ksheer Kakoli), Habenaria intermedia (Riddhi), Pittosporum eriocarpum (Agni), Mozotropis pellita (Patwa), Berberis aristata (Kilmora), and Bergenia ciliata (Patharchatta).
Need For Awareness
Professor Tiwari emphasises the urgent need for awareness campaigns to promote conservation, encourage controlled cultivation, and implement stricter government policies. In response, voluntary organisations and the forest department in Nainital and other hilly regions have started conservation initiatives.
Special programmes are being conducted to educate local communities about the importance of these plants. If these medicinal plants are not preserved, the consequences will extend beyond biodiversity loss, posing a significant threat to traditional medicine. Timely action is crucial to safeguarding these valuable plants for future generations.
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