Question : TRADE IN MEDICINAL PLANTS

(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the newsitem captioned `Protect or Pensh`, Appearing in the Observer dated June 10,2000.

(b) if so, the response of the Government to encourage growing and proper harvesting of Medicinal Plants;

(c) whether large scale unregulated trade in Medicinal Plants, from the forests continue to go dramatically;

(d) if so, whether the Government have taken any specific actions or initiative to prevent this practice;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) if not, the reasons therefor ?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS (SHRI BABU LAL MARANDI)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) Government of India is implementing a scheme through the State Governments for conserving and improving the production of non-timber forest produce including medicinal plants. Financial assistance is provided under this scheme to carry out plantation of medicinal plants.

(c) The State Forest Department permit collection of forest produce including medicinal plants by the local people and traders from the forest areas. The details of local and regional trade are not maintained at the Government of India level. However, no specific cases of large scale unregulated trade has come to the notice of Government of India.

(d) & (e) In order to prevent illegal trade of plants including medicinal plants, Government of India has adopted following measures :

- collection of wild plant species covered under Schedule VI of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 from any forest land or specified area has been banned by law.

- Export of 29 species of plant or plant portions and their derivatives obtained from the wild have been prohibited.

- Export of plants other than above 29 species require a No Objection Certificate from the Chief Conservator of Forests or District Forests Officer of the State concerned from where these plants have been procured.

- The cultivated variety of plant/plant portions of the 29 banned species can be allowed for export subject to production of certificate of cultivation and a CITES permit, wherever applicable.

- International trade in India with respect to species covered under Appendix I of CITES is prohibited and for 17 species, covered under Appendix II of CITES, is regulated under the provisions of the CITES.

- Frequent check are carried out by the wildlife authorities whenever information of illegal trading in wild plants reaches them.

- Ministry of Environment and Forests has introduced a bill on `Biological Diversity ` in May, 2000. The main intent of the bill is to protect India`s rich bio-diversity and associated knowledge against their use by foreign individuals and organizations. It also aims at providing protection to the biological resources including medicinal plants against commercial use.

(f) Does not arise