BENGALURU: Karnataka Biodiversity Board (KBB) is studying medicinal plants with more focus on collecting them by tribals and handing them over to industries. Along with this, KBB has also conducted studies on shola grasslands and wild fruit varieties found in the Malnad region. There is a high demand for medicinal and aromatic plants, especially from the pharma, health and cosmetic industries, an official on the study of medicinal plants told TNSE.
“Procurement from the organized sector is very limited. A major outflow is from the unorganized sector. Many of those who extract medicinal herbs are tribals and people living in and around forests. The demand for organic products has increased and with it the threat to forest produce has also increased. It has also been observed that the tribals who are involved in extraction get a very poor deal for it, while the middlemen and agents make profits,” the official said.
The official said that in the past, the Medicinal Plants Board, and the Department of Environment and Forests, have served notices to several firms for illegal extraction, but little action has been taken to end it. It has also been observed that the demand for minor forest produce has increased, even for cooking items.
“Through the study, we are identifying the areas where they are grown, where they are collected from and to whom it is supplied. This is an unorganized sector. Private companies have no sources…they depend on middlemen. The study will help people understand the real benefits of the products and the need to protect them,” said Govardhan Singh, deputy conservator of forests, KBB. The study is targeted to be completed by 2025.
Another official also said that there are instances where tribals are seen extracting these as minor forest produce and selling them abroad as medicinal herbs at a premium.
The study will help us know everything about medicinal plants, areas where they need to be grown, reducing abuse, ensuring safety and preserving them.
