Allachy project: Development of participatory conservation of medicinal plants in the Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas, India

Grantee:

Ashoka Trust for Research into Ecology and the Environment (ATREE)

Project period: March 2006 to February 2009

Highlights

• High altitude medicinal plants in the Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas are under tremendous pressure from over-harvesting and rampant livestock grazing.
• The project will improve understanding of the distribution of eight important species of medicinal plants.
• The project will also investigate methods of propagation for selected species and explore possibilities of supporting farmers to promote the cultivation of medicinal plants.

Interim Technical Report (September 2006) (pdf 1.4mb)

Project progress report by Upakar Rai (ATREE, Kalimpong, India), 21 April 2006

Interim Technical Report (April 2007) (pdf 655 kb)

Project progress report, 21 April 2006

Email: upakar@atree.org or upakar@yahoo.com

return to top>>

Project description

The Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas has varies from 150 to 8548 metres above sea level and comprises a total geographic area of 10,245 km², is part of the Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot and is considered one of the richest repositories of medicinal and aromatic plant resources.

The medicinal and aromatic plants in the Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas are used locally as well as traded. Of an estimated 5,000 species of flowering plants in the region, 425 are used by 20 different ethnic tribes for treating various ailments. Official record on the volume of trade for only four species found in high altitudes of the region is estimated to be nearly 50 tons annually.

Unregulated destructive collection of medicinal plants for commercial purposes from their natural habitat is largely responsible for the depleted condition of these species. Rampant livestock grazing and local use of medicinal plants in the region is also contributing to the present crisis. The once abundant natural population is either destroyed or confined to smaller pockets in inaccessible areas. As a result, these species need urgent attention for their conservation.

return to top>>

The Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) is a non-governmental organization in India. ATREE, with support from Plantlife International, is currently working to understand the population status and distribution pattern of eight threatened species of medicinal plants in the Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas. These species are: Nardostachys jatamansi DC., Swertia chirata Buch.-Ham., Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth., Aconitum palmatum D. Don., Dactylorhiza hatagirea (Don) Soo, Panax pseudoginseng Wall., Valeriana hardwickii Wall., and Mahonia napaulensis DC.

For systematic surveys on population status and distribution of targeted species the following methodology will be adopted.

Depending upon the literature survey and consultation with local herbaria, ten sites for each species will be chosen. Inputs from plant collectors and knowledgeable village people shall also be considered for selection of sites. At each site, five 1 km long transects, radiating from a central location will be established. Every 20m, a 1m quadrat will be established to enumerate all plants of the targeted species. Adjoining quadrats will be on the alternate sides of the line transect. The quadrat size will be increased if the species are not common. The possible existing sites for each species will then be mapped.

return to top>>

The data will be analyzed to assess the size of the population, structure and density. These results will provide baseline information to formulate policies on conservation of the eight targeted species in Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas.

Propagation will be done using conventional methods by consulting literature. Different propagation techniques available for the eight target species will be tested to determine suitability and economic viability of the species for cultivation in new agro-climatic condition. Seedlings will be reared in nurseries and optimal conditions for the growth of seedlings will be defined. Cuttings of vegetative shoots will be subjected to various rooting hormone to determine economic viability of vegetative propagation. The financial cost of producing each seedling will be calculated before introducing to cultivation.

ATREE has an extensive conservation and livelihoods program in several villages of the Darjeeling hills. A basic objective of this program is to reduce harvesting of medicinal plants from natural habitats by diversifying livelihood options of the villagers and at the same time bringing awareness and popularise its cultivation. Based on past experiences and on success of ATREE’s programme on poverty alleviation, large-scale cultivation of medicinal plants will be introduced in villages. Training in agro-techniques will be provided to the targeted beneficiaries. Market links will be developed.

Findings of the work will be published in scientific journals for dissemination of information. A user-friendly guide on propagation techniques on these medicinal plants in local and English languages will be prepared for use in Himalayan states.

return to top>>