BACKGROUNDER
The Ministry of Environment & Forests has taken a number of steps for conservation & protection of medical plants.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Project entitled ‘National Programme on Promoting Conservation of Medical Plants & Traditional Knowledge for Enhancing Health & Livelihood Security’ has been operationalised. It will be implemented in nine states, namely Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, west Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. The project is being coordinated by Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT), Bangalore.
The Government is supporting a Centre of Excellence on ‘Medical Plants & Traditional Knowledge’ at FRLHT, Bangalore.
The National Afforestation Programme (NAP) Scheme is under implementation which includes models such as ‘Mixed Plantation of Trees having Minor Forest Produce Medical Values’ that relates to promotion of medical plants through afforestation and regeneration.
Various acts of environment help in this activity.
Conservation and protecting medical plants through enforcement of the Indian Forest Act, 1927; Wildlife (protection) Act, 1972; Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980;
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and the rules under these Acts promotes conservation of Medical Plants.
Under the NAP scheme, during the last 3 years (2004-05 to 2006-07), a total sum of Rs. 7773.87 crores was released to ongoing Forest Development agencies in different States, for afforestation activities including promotion of medical plants among other things.
KP/Hb
(Release ID :36954)