Source: PIB
Subject: Environment
Context: The world observed World Wildlife Day on 3 March 2026 under the theme “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods.”
About Wildlife Conservation:
What it is?
- Wildlife conservation is the practice of protecting wild plant and animal species and their habitats to ensure that healthy native ecosystems are restored, protected, or maintained.
- It involves a multidisciplinary approach encompassing law enforcement, scientific research, and community participation to prevent species extinction and maintain biodiversity.
Data and Statistics on Wildlife in India:
- Mega-Biodiversity Hub: India is one of the 17 mega-biodiversity rich countries, harboring nearly 7-8% of the world’s recorded species while occupying only 2.4% of the global land area.
- Medicinal Wealth: India possesses approximately 15,000 medicinal plant species, with about 8,000 species utilized in traditional Indian systems of medicine (AYUSH).
- Protected Area Network: As of 2026, India has a robust network of 1,000+ Protected Areas, including National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Conservation Reserves.
- Economic Scale: The annual domestic demand for medicinal plants in India is estimated at over 5,12,000 metric tonnes, with 242 species traded in high volumes exceeding 100 MT per annum.
- Global Export Share: India is the second-largest exporter of medicinal plants globally, significantly contributing to the multi-billion dollar traditional medicine market.
Types of Conservation Methods:
- In-Situ Conservation (On-site)
Protecting species within their natural habitats where they have evolved.
- National Parks & Sanctuaries: Areas with strict protection for flora and fauna (e.g., Corbett, Kaziranga).
- Biosphere Reserves: Large areas for ecosystem conservation and sustainable development (e.g., Nilgiri).
- MPCDAs: Medicinal Plants Conservation and Development Areas specifically designated for medicinal flora.
- Sacred Groves: Community-protected forest fragments based on religious and cultural beliefs.
- Ex-Situ Conservation (Off-site)
Protecting species outside their natural habitats in controlled environments.
- Gene Banks: Long-term preservation of genetic material (e.g., National Seed Gene Bank at NBPGR).
- Botanical Gardens & Zoos: Providing breeding grounds and educational displays for rare species.
- Cryopreservation: Storage of seeds, pollen, or embryos at ultra-low temperatures to maintain viability.
- Herbal Gardens: Institutional or school gardens (e.g., Aushadhi Vantika) used for awareness and local supply.
Key Initiatives Taken So Far:
- Central Sector Scheme (NMPB): A flagship scheme for the conservation and sustainable management of medicinal plants with an outlay of ₹322.41 crores (2021-2026).
- e-CHARAK Portal: A digital platform and mobile app to enable information exchange and market access between farmers and herbal traders.
- National Ayush Mission (NAM): Promotes the integration of medicinal plant cultivation with traditional farming to enhance farmer income.
- GI Tagging: Protecting the heritage of specific plants like Nagauri Ashwagandha (registered Nov 2025) and Kashmir Saffron to ensure quality and origin.
Challenges Associated:
- Overexploitation of Wild Stocks: High market demand leads to unsustainable harvesting, threatening the survival of rare species in the wild.
Example: In 2025, the Himalayan Trillium faced severe depletion in the high-altitude zones due to illegal extraction for its high-value medicinal roots.
- Habitat Fragmentation: Infrastructure development and agricultural expansion continue to shrink the natural corridors required for species migration.
Example: The Western Ghats have seen localized extinctions of endemic aromatic plants in 2026 due to land-use changes for tourism and plantations.
- Inadequate Standardisation: Lack of uniform quality testing and certification makes it difficult for small farmers to access premium global markets.
Example: Recent rejections of herbal raw drug exports in late 2025 highlighted the gap in GACP (Good Agricultural and Collection Practices) compliance.
- Climate Change Vulnerability: Shifting rainfall patterns and rising temperatures are altering the chemical composition (potency) and flowering cycles of medicinal plants.
Example: The Kashmir Saffron yields in 2025-26 were affected by erratic snowfall, directly impacting the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.
Way Ahead:
- Mainstreaming Cultivation: Shifting the supply chain from wild-collection to controlled cultivation on private lands to reduce pressure on forests.
- Blockchain in Supply Chain: Implementing Traceability Systems on platforms like e-CHARAK to ensure that herbs are sourced sustainably and ethically.
- R&D in Bio-Prospecting: Investing in scientific research to unlock the modern pharmaceutical potential of the 15,000 identified species.
- Community-Led Conservation: Empowering Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) to ensure fair benefit-sharing and protection of traditional knowledge.
Conclusion:
India’s medicinal plant heritage is a unique confluence of ancient wisdom and modern economic potential. By bridging the gap between digital platforms like e-CHARAK and grassroots conservation in MPCDAs, India is securing its role as a global pharmacy. Protecting these green healers is not just an environmental duty, but a prerequisite for the health and prosperity of Viksit Bharat.
