Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

CONSERVATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS THROUGH JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT

Bhavana Dixit, Rashmi Agrawal and B.M. Ojha

Abstract

The present investigation was aimed at providing preliminary information on status, regeneration and conservation strategy for medicinal plants in PPA Ataria and Ranjki in Lamni range of Bilaspur Forest Division.The study shows that there is immense potential of herbal plants in these areas and hardly 10-20 per cent of the total contents available in the forest is being extracted.The local and scientific uses of these plants have been recorded from local talk participation and experts. So far about 90 species of herbs and shrubs of medicinal uses has been identified e.g. Elephantopus scaber, Cyprus rotundus, Curculigo orchioides, Embilica officinalis, Asparagus racemosus, Randis spinosa, Chlorophytum tuberosum, Semicarpus anacardium etc. From the assessment it is very clear the regeneration of medicinal plants is good. For ensuring the sustainability of the herbal yield it is very important to create awareness among the local villagers and the technique of harvesting the herbal plants. Under joint forest management sustainable harvesting of these medicinal plants will contribute to self reliance of millions with primary healthcare.