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Conserving natural resources
Achievements and impact at a glance:
14 medicinal plants identified as critically endangered (CR) across three states - West Bengal, Orissa and Rajasthan -. CAMP workshop in these states on 316 shortlisted medicinal plants has resulted in recognizing 14 medicinal plants as critically endangered, 43 as endangered and 59 as vulnerable as per the IUCN threat categories. The shortlisted plants included 126 heavily traded medicinal plants.
35 MPCAs (Medicinal Plant Conservation Area) to conserve the endangered medicinal plants. As long term conservation measure 35 MPCAs are in the process of establishment. These are insitu forest gene banks ensuring survival of the selected species. Target species oriented MPCA is perhaps the first such initiative in the country. Out of these only 20 are supported under the project. Rest of these are state initiatives resulting as an offshoot of the study.
5 seed centres to act as authentic source of propagation material. For cultivation of medicinal plants in five states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu 67 medicinal plants have been shortlisted based on conservation concern and commercial cultivation option. These are out of the total 1270 medicinal plants assessed based on need assessment studies carried out in each state.
One lakh seedlings of Decalepis distributed. Critically endangered and highly traded medicinal plant from Karnataka - Decalepis hamiltonii has been promoted for cultivation through forest department and other agencies. Apart from 8 kg of seeds (seeds are light and small) supplied, over a lakh seedlings have also been distributed in various forest divisions of Karnataka for cultivation.
23 species of medicinal plants that are economical and ecological concern for development covered under sustainable harvesting methods. In three states - Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu following situation analysis on 172 shortlisted plants adaptive management techniques have been developed for 23 species. VFCs of JFM, collectors and traders together involved in the programme and resulted in better economic returns to the needy.
Community to Community training for conservation and sustainable harvesting methods spreads to other states like Tamilandu and Madhya Pradesh where these concepts are new. More and more forest divisions are opting for this effective technique of community involvement in conservation and resource management.
Business plans for Community owned Enterprise are underway in CCF2 project implementation states. Capacity building to selected FDAs in the project states for developing viable medicinal plant based enterprise has been taken up. The three training conducted has helped the states to evolve necessary business plans. At least 3 - 5 such ventures are expected to be operational.
200 Community Health Knowledge Registers (CKRs) prepared and released. This is a quantum leap towards biodiversity management and primary health care management at local level. First time in the country like PBRs, CKRs are made and held by the community. This not only documents the healers and their knowledge but also helps in capacity building of rural community particularly women.
Over 30000 home herbal gardens (HHGs) established and planted over 5 lakh medicinal plants in 5 states viz., Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan and West Bengal. These are of over 20 carefully assessed and shortlised medicinal plants for ensuring health security through primary health care management.
Livelihood issue too addressed. This also provides for income generation through nursery related enterprises and by economic benefits through reduction of health care costs. In the study areas in Orissa state, the monthly expenditure on the health issues was Rs. 730 to Rs. 1025 per 3 months. This has come down to Rs.30 to Rs.50 for same period.
Mainstreaming traditional knowledge into primary health care centres. This unique model of mainstreaming is successfully implemented in over 20 PHCs in Karnataka state. Every primary health center which is a part of this project has a demo-garden and an Arogyamitra as a unit of it. People can opt for traditional health care or the modern health care. Villages like Dindawara have switched to TK for the pediatric health care. Almost all children below 5 years of age are being treated by TK for primary health conditions like fever, cough, cold, diarrhea etc.
Awareness programmes to reach out to masses. Effective posters on state wise redlisted medicinal plants of Rajasthan Orissa and West Bengal and complete check list of medicinal plants of these states are developed and is generating interest in stake holders like forest officials, students, farmers, traders etc. to popularize medicinal plants among students an interactive CD on medicinal plants is distributed and tested for adoption. It as been popularized among students of over 35 schools in Bangalore.
Gender equity ensured. The project ensures women participation and empowers them to tackle issues of health care and lively hood. 95% of the Arogyamitras in the project on mainstreaming TK into PHC are women. So also socially backward economically weaker classes are involved in the project directly on indirectly.
