Medicinal Plants: Problems & Prospective
Karnali Messenger-Karnali Forum for Sustainable development
Form the Rising Nepal.
The non-timber forest production (NTFP) and its mobilization are highly
encouraging. The prospective of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs)
has increased as popular and alternative medicine, ayurvedic drugs,
herbal remedies etc. Ours uplands area is highly potential for
medicinal plants and has wide opportunities for its growth. Medicinal
plants, if exploited properly, could contribute to local and national
economy in a significant way by generating employment opportunities.
MAPs are studied as a means of supportive livelihood options to the
local collectors, traders, farmers and good earning opportunities for
processors and entrepreneurs. People these days are involving
themselves in collection and partly cultivation of such MAPs.
In their study on Marketing Opportunities for Medicinal, Aromatic, and
Dye Plants in South Asia, Mr. A. Nagpal and M. Karki have concluded
that a non-institutionalized, individual, family or tribal use of
medicinal plants passed dawn from generation to generation and it has
been the oldest form of medical therapy in most countries.
In our case the richest area for MAPs is northern hilly range of the
country particularly Karnali Pradesh. Although Nepal is highly
competitive in production of most NTFPs, the production is largely
based on collection rather than cultivation. The collectors, mostly the
poorest of the poor, harvest these rare plants indiscriminately. Many
high-value NTFPs are found in the wild and little is known about their
biology and cultivation techniques. Therefore, there has been a need
for sufficient comprehensive policy backing and compliance on either
domestication or systematic harvesting mechanism. Most of the
initiatives for domesticating of NTFP are coming from the private
sectors, probably to secure its long-term supplies to markets. At the
mean time, Medicinal and Non Timber Forest Product Development Policy
2005 and its action plan could be a milestone for policy guidance. Many
people involved in the harvesting have limited knowledge about various
valuable species; and local people have been practicing need based
harvesting system. When money is needed, they collect and sell to the
local traders even the species are too young to harvest. Some practical
observation shows that there is a threat of indiscriminate harvesting;
over exploitation of the species; very poor collection method; and
almost zero level of post harvest preservation. As a result of this
some important indigenous species are disappearing from the forests.
Existing market network is traditional, unorganized and manipulating
type. When demand comes, people start to collect the herbs. They even
don?t know the price rate and value. Also local traders do not want
to disclose t about the quantity they collect and sell and the price.
Likewise, means of transportation to the market is quite expensive.
Initial processing facilities are not available in the concerned
districts.
According to Medicinal and NTFP Coordination Committee, about 118 eco
systems have been identified; within these diverse system 10091 species
of plants (flowering and non-flowering) are being documented; and out
of these about 700 species have medicinal values. Furthermore 238 types
of medicinally important botanical species are being tested to find
chemical contents.
The importance and uses of MAPs have increased progressively over the
past couple of decades, and the trend is likely to continue. Consumers
are being attracted towards the natural and organic products. Global
trends towards the using of herbal medicine are growing. According to
World Health Organization, over 80 per cent of the world?s population
relies on traditional system of medicine, largely plant based, to meet
their primary health care needs.
A small demonstration on low cost tunnel house built in Jumla and Humla
shows few species, which could replicate the farmer?s field. In this
respect, major concern for domestication are cultivation facilities to
the farmers in a commercial manner; technical assistance for production
and marketing; information dissemination; promotional activities to
propagate in leasehold forest; entrepreneurship development for
business promotion; and buy back guarantee through private companies
can lead towards the encouragement. Private institutions, NGO, Donor
and Community sector?s collaborative efforts are a must for the
development and promotion of MAPs.
Once NTFP and MAPS are properly channeled, Nepal, as a member of World
Trade Organization could play a vital role to maximize these
opportunities for the sustainable utilization, economic development and
protection of biodiversity in the nation.