Overexploitation of medicinal and aromatic crops:

By Divya (Th-2022-10-biv)

INTRODUCTION: Medicinal and aromatic plants are globally treasured and recognized for
their therapeutic and aromatic compounds, making them invaluable resource in traditional
and modern medicine, culinary arts and fragrance. MAPs have been integral to human health
and cultural practices for millennia .In India, traditional system like AYUSH- Ayurveda,
unani, sidda, and homeopathy. Globally approximately 60,000 MAP species are harvested,
with around 1,280 listed in the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) appendices due to concern over their sustainability.
CIMAP (Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants) is also researching on growing
more and more crops and less to less exploitation of these crops as they are very beneficial to
human health. However escalating demand, unsustainable harvesting, and habitat degradation
have led to the overexploitation of many MAPs, threatening their survival and the ecosystem
them inhabitant.

Extend of overexploitation: India is ranked sixth for having threatened plant species in
IUCN Red list

In India, over 800 species of medicinal plants are utilized by industries, yet less than 20 are
cultivated commercially. Consequently, over 95% of these plants are collected from the wild.
This heavy reliance on wild collection has led to the decline of numerous species. For
instance, in the Mardavally state forest, 14 out of 146 medicinal plant species are endangered,
with Catuneregam spinosa (Mountain pomegranate) nearing extinction. Similarly, in the
Devarayanadurga forest Karnataka, species like Jatropha curcas have been become
endangered due to overharvesting and habitat loss.

Whereas in himachal Pradesh which is the vital hotspot of biodiversity. Over 9000 plant
species about 33% are found to be endemic to Himalayan region. The home of approx. . . .
1748 angiosperms, 12 gymnosperms, and 51 pteridophyte .additionally 675 species are wild
edible plants. 90 % of the raw material from wild harvested and 70 % are harvested
destructively.

Causes of overexploitation of medicinal and aromatic plants:

 Destructive harvesting practices: one of the foremost causes of overexploitation is

the destructive method of harvesting adopted by collectors, especially in remote forest
areas. Many medicinal plants require their roots, barks, rhizomes, or whole plants for
pharmaceutical use, and these parts are crucial to the plants survival and regeneration.
For instance:
1. Harvesting roots often kills the entire plant as it cannot regenerate.
2. Debarking trees for their medicinal bark leads to tree death or vulnerability to pests
and diseases.
3. Uprooting entire plants, particularly in the case of herbs and shrubs, prevents
regeneration and reduces the seed bank.
 Such practices when repeated over time and across large areas drastically reduce
population sizes and cause local extinctions.

EXAMPLE: in the Himalayan region, plants like Podophyllum hexandrum (Indian mayaplle)
and Aconitum heterophyllum are heavily affected due to collection of rhizomes and roots.

 Unsustainable and unscientific collection: MAPs are often collected without proper
knowledge of plant biology, phenology, or population dynamics. Key problems
includes:
1. Harvesting during reproductive stages reducing seed dispersal and regeneration.
2. Collection from limited areas rather than rotational gathering from multiple zones.
3. Targeting rare to slow growing species, which cannot withstand even low levels of
harvesting
This is compounded by lack of formal training or guidelines for local collectors.
 Limited cultivation and dependence on wild stocks: despite high demand, a very
few MAP species are cultivated commercially. According to the National Medicinal
Plants Boards of India over 95% of MAPs are collected from the wild. Cultivation is
constrained by:
1. Lack of technical knowledge about agronomy, propagation, and suitable growing
conditions.
2. Low market incentives for farmers due to fluctuating prices or demand.
3. Slow growth cycles of MAPs which makes them economically unattractive
 Illegal and unregulated trade: many MAPs are subject to illegal collection and
smuggling, especially those that are rare, high value, or used in international markets.
the drivers of illegal trade include:
1. Lack of enforcement of regulations such as CITES or domestic protection laws.
2. High profits in global herbal markets, attracting organized networks
3. Poor coordination among forest departments, customs, and local authorities.
EXAMPLE: Plants like Piccorhiza kurroa (kutki) and Saussurea costus have been
heavily exploited for export markers, often bypassing legal frameworks.
 Habitat destruction and fragmentation : Many MAPs are confined to specific
ecosystems such as tropical forests , alpine meadows, or shola grasslands ecosystems
these habitats are increasingly threatened by deforestation , urbanization and road
buildings , grazing and fire
Habitat loss reduces the carrying capacity for MAP species and makes them more
vulnerable to exploitation.
 Climate changes and ecological stress : climate change is affecting the
distribution ,phenology, and metabolic profiles of many MAPs key concerns are :
1. Shifts in growing season affecting traditional harvesting calendars
2. Changes in rainfall and temperature impacting germination and growth
3. Upwards migration of high altitude species door to warming which reduces
their habitable range.
Stress from climate change may lower natural regeneration rate, making
MAPs more susceptible to overharvesting,
 Socioeconomic pressures: many rural and forest department communities rely on the
collection of MAPs as a source of income or subsistence, especially where other
livelihood options are limited. Pressure include :
1. Poverty and unemployment, pushing people to harvest more aggressively.
2. Middleman and exploitation trade chains ,where collectors get low returns ,
incentivizing bulk collection
3. Lack of awareness about conservation laws and ecological sustainability.
This socioeconomic backdrop makes it challenging to implements long term
conservation unless alternatives are provided
Conservation efforts and sustainable practices:
In vitro conservation: efforts are underway to conserve overexploited
MAPs through in vitro methods. For instance , 23 pharmaceutically
important plants have been successfully conserved using tissue culture
technique
Cultivation initiatives: promoting the cultivation of MAPs can reduce
pressure on wild populations. in Himachal Pradesh organizations like
IHBT Palampur and YSP UNIVERSITY are developing cultivation
technique for commercially viable medicinal plants majorly the
department of forest products has developed specific techniques for raising
nurseries and cultivating various medicinal and aromatic plants like
Digitalis lanata , Dioscorea deltoids and Mentha piperata ,betelvine
among others
Regulatory measures: the Indian government has been banned export of
29 endangered plant species to curb overexploitation. Additionally ,CITES
regulates the trade of MAPs internationally to ensure their sustainable use
Community engagement: educating local communities about sustainable
harvesting practices and involving them in conservation effort can be
effective. In Devarayanadurga forest, awareness programs have helped
control illegal gathering of medicinal plants
Conclusion:
The overexploitation of medicinal and aromatic plants poses a significant
threat it biodiversity, traditional medicine systems and local livelihood.
Addressing the issue require a multifaceted approach, including
sustainable harvesting practices, cultivation initiatives, regulatory measure,
and community involvement. By implementing these stratifies we can
ensure the conservation of MAPs for future generations
References:
FAO. (2005). Medicinal plants conservation and sustainable use .FAO
PUBLICATION
NCBI, (2005). Ethanobotany and conservation of traditional medicinal
plants. The botanical review
CITES. Medicinal and aromatic pants
IMPACTS OF CULTIVATION AND GATHERING OF MEDICINAL
PLANTS ON BIODIVERSITY: CASE STUDIES FROM INDIA
MEDICINAL PLANT HABITAT: Research reveals over exploitation of
medicinal plant habitats in HP
IN-VITRO Conservation of 23 overexploited medicinal plants belonging
to the Indian sub-continent –verma -2012
Depleting medicinal plant resources: A threat for survival of Ayurveda –
PMC