Cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: An Innovative Effort towards Sustainable Development (A Case Study of Uttarakhand)

Abstract

Uttarakhand popularly known as Dev Bhumi is widely believed to be the source of the centuries old traditional system of medicine called Ayurveda. The State is blessed with thousand of species; however, about 320 species have been identified having commonly growing. The forest department has reported about 175 species being commercially extracted and traded. The State Government in 2003 declared Uttarakhand as an Herbal State. After declaration of Uttarakhand as an Herbal State, the government took initiatives for sustainable cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants in a phased manner. As it is a newly formed state, Uttarakhand is being subject to many large projects especially hydroelectric projects, as part of development. These will adversely impact the forestland of the state. Many species of medicinal and aromatic plants have disappeared with the loss of oak forests. There is growing evidence that the many medicinal and aromatic plants species are declining in the wild. So the systematic cultivation of high value medicinal and aromatic plants under prevailing agro ecological condition is one of the sincere efforts in the direction of sustainable development. Recently the state Government has introduced several incentives and established The Herbal Research and Development Institute, State Medicinal Plants Board and Center for Aromatic Plants for the popularization of sustainable cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants. In these circumstances, our major objective is to explore the potential in medicinal and aromatic plants cultivation in Uttarakhand.