Pankaj Oudhia on Sarpgandha, Kalmegh and Gloriosa: Manuscripts from Medicinal Plant Database

Abstract

Since year 1990 Pankaj Oudhia is writing on various aspects of Biodiversity and Traditional Healing. The regular writing of more than two decades resulted in documents worth millions of pages. Very small part of these documents is online so far. The present series is an effort to represent excerpts of these documents available in Pankaj Oudhia’s Medicinal Plant Database at pankajoudhia.com

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[[Sarpgandha]e9185] is one of the valuable medicinal herbs of [[India]e103]. At national and international markets there is heavy demand of this herb. Earlier Indian forests were rich in its natural forests but over collection forced the authorities to keep it in the list of endangered plants and to restrict its harvest from wild. Yesterday I was in Rajim-Gariaband- Mainpur-Amlipadar-Devbhog and Chhura regions of {{Chhattisgarh}e} to meet and interact with the herb traders and [[Traditional Healers]t235]. The senior herb trader of Mainpur region Shri Adam Bhai informed that we have already lost much of medicinal herbs. He is living in this area since 1946. He informed that at that time the region was rich in both flora and fauna. Tigers and leopards were common in surroundings. During interaction he named various locations in Mainpur town where specific herbs were there. Today modern colonies exist in these locations. According to him Mainpur region was rich in natural population of Sarpgandha plants. Due to non-scientific collection today not a single plant is available in nearby forest. In terms of quantum he informed that we have lost over 55 types of medicinal herbs. Today due to increased number of herb traders and unemployed youth medicinal herbs are in more danger than ever. I observed many exotic [[weeds]g24116] in the region. Shri Adam Bhai confirmed that these weeds are recent introduction and now spreading in natural forests. No one is taking care of it.

Officially medicinal herb [[Gloriosa superba]e14378] is not available in Chhattisgarh but I have mentioned in previous research articles that this herb grows naturally in specific parts of Chhattisgarh. The natives and Traditional Healers have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about this herb. During recent survey I asked the traders of young generation about this herb. Most of them showed ignorance about this herb but the herb collectors informed that this herb is present in wild and on demand they can collect it in bulk. In any ecosystem Gloriosa plays very important role. I feel that action is required to identify the natural spots of Gloriosa in these regions and restrict its collection like Sarpgandha so that remaining plants can remain safe from commercial exploitation.

The herbs traders of Chhura region informed that the availability of many medicinal herbs is decreasing at alarming rates. Once this region was rich in natural population of medicinal herb [[Satavar]e3482]. Today it is not easily available. This region is known for high quality [[Tendu]e5465] leaves used in {{Bidi}g] industries. During survey I found many valuable herbs in this region. The traders informed that researchers of drug companies are visiting the region regularly and they are collecting the plant samples. This information has increased my worry to great extent.

The traders of Amlipadar region informed that over collection has made many herbs endangered. [[Gondla]e306932], [[Baibirang]e5679] and [[Kevatch]e7832] are on top of the list. {{Lac}g} of Amlipadar is having global demand. According to the traders dark yellowish color is the reason for its specific identity and demand. The herb trader Shri Pandey of Amlipadar informed that decreasing availability of medicinal herbs are now forcing them to change their business. He emphasized on need of putting strict ban on collection of rare plants like the authorities have put ban on collection of endangered [[Maida]e375171] bark. The traders of Devbhog informed that Maida trees are common in the region but the risk due to ban is forcing them to avoid its collection. They consider it as more dangerous than murder of anyone.

The traders at Taurenga region informed that once this region was rich in natural population of [[Reetha]e9554]. Today he knows about only one tree that yields 60 kg. Reetha. We have lost other thousands of trees. He informed that at hilltop he has seen many Reetha trees but he is keeping it secret. In his list of endangered herb the name of Rasna Jadi is at top.

Beside strict ban on collection of endangered medicinal herbs I feel that there is need of promotion of cultivation of those herbs having regular demand in national and international markets. Cultivation can be done in regions where once the herbs were growing naturally. With help of senior herb collectors collection spots can be identified. By simply spreading the seeds or other parts in these regions we can help the Mother Nature to establish these herbs once more. In these regions I found [[rice]e1574] fields and farmers informed that they are not getting good returns from this traditional crop. Promotion of cultivation of medicinal herbs will help these farmers to earn more than the present crop Rice.

As always, I found that the primary herb collectors are still getting very low prices for collection. This is time of the harvest of [[Kalmegh]e12320] plants. The primary collectors are getting 1 to 1.5 Rs. per Kg whereas the traders at 20-30 km distance are selling it to the big traders at the rate of 10-13 Rs. per Kg. Many primary collectors are aware of this fact but no one is ready to help them. I am observing same trend since ten years but I still hope that one day they will get maximum rates directly from the end buyers.

After all odds Chhattisgarh forests are still having much and through proper strategies we can protect thousands of medicinal herbs. I am in process of preparing status report for the state authorities having my observations and comments with hope that they will take necessary action.       

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