SAVING MEDICINAL PLANTS
ARVIND K.PANDEY
(Published in DOWN TO EARTH ,MARCH 15 ,2008)
The findings of the National Medcinal Plants Board Of India are alarming . The ex tinction of medicinal plants found in the Himalayan region should wake up the people responsible for their promotion . True, the illegal harvesting of these medicinal plants to sustain the trade has led to slow death of these medicinal plants .However , what has prevented government from giving in to effective agro-technology , leading to growth of these species in artificial surroundings ? The government cannot run away from its responsibilty by blaming the people involved in their " overextraction " . The government which takes pride in its glorious legacy should take substantial steps to prevent the medicinal plants from becoming things of past .
Medicinal plants are things that need to be saved, the have many great properties which can benefit us. There are some South Indian Marapachi dolls which are sometimes made of a type of sanders wood which can be used to treat pains.