A Review on Endangered Medicinal Plants of Melghat Forest in Amravati District

Abstract

The Melghat Forest, located in the Western Ghats region of Maharashtra, is known for its rich biodiversity including a variety of plant and animal species. However, like many other forested area, the Melghat Forest is facing threats from various anthropogenic activities, such as deforestation, habitat destruction, and the introduction of exotic species. (Sharma, 2015) To address these challenges, the state government has implemented various conservation measures, including the establishment of a threatened fauna management framework. Some of these endangered medicinal plants are Saussaureea lappa, Picorrhiza kurroa, Ginkgo Biloba, Swertia chirata,Gymnema sylvestre,Tinospora cordifolia,Salaca oblonga,Holostemma,Celastrus paniculata,Oroxylum indicum, Glycyrrhiza glabra,Typophora indica,Bacopa monnieri,Rauwolfia serpentine. The most important species in these forests is Teak(Tectona Grandis).Teak forests occupy over 11500 sq.km.area which is about 1/5 of the area under forest department.The present investigation of some of the plants which are more important to human healthcare and may be extinct in future.