Conservation and Development of

Medicinal Plant Resources

Gujarat Forest Department

February 2008
 PROJECT PROPOSAL

For Seeking Financial Assistance From National Medicinal Plants Board Under
Project/Schemes

1. Title of the Conservation and Development of Medicinal Plant Resources

Project

2. Name of the The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests,

organization Gujarat State
with full 14th Block, Old Sachivalaya,
address Gandhinagar (Gujarat)

3. Status Govt. Organization

4. Name of Principal Project Investigator (PI) and CoPI (with correspondence address):

PI Sh. R.J.Asari, IFS

Chairman, FDAs & Conservator of Forest,
Surat Circle, Surat

2. Sh. Kabool Chand, IFS

Chairman, FDAs & Conservator of Forest,
Valsad Circle, Valsad
Co-PI Sh. R.N. Chaudhari, GFS
Member Secretary FDA, Valsad South &
Deputy Conservator of Forests,
Valsad South Division, Valsad.
Co-PI Sh. S.M. Patel IFS
Member Secretary FDA, Rajpipla (East) &
Deputy Conservator of Forests,
Rajpipla (East) Division, Rajpipla

Co-PI Sh. G.I.Naik IFS

Member Secretary FDA, Rajpipla (west) &
Deputy Conservator of Forests,
Rajpipla (west) Division, Rajpipla

Co-PI Sh. B.G.Prajapati, IFS

Member Secretary FDA, Valsad (North) &
Deputy Conservator of Forests,
Valsad (North) Division, Valsad

Co-PI Sh. B.V.Waghelal IFS

Member Secretary FDA, Dangs (South) &
Deputy Conservator of Forests,
Dangs (South) Division, Dangs
5. Introduction, Concept and justification of the project
Gujarat is the western most state of India situated between the latitudes of 2001 N to
2407 N and 6804 E to 7404 E longitudes. It covers an area of 1,96,024 sq. km. which
accounts for nearly 6% of geographical area of the country. The state of Gujarat contributes to
countrys biodiversity in a big way. Despite, its adverse geo-climatic conditions, the state have a
remarkable diversity of plant species owing to its four bio- geographic zones and five biotic
provinces. This diversity is manifested in about 4320 plant species and medicinal flora forms a
major component of this biodiversity. The state has 1315 recorded species of medicinal value.
These include 754 herb species, 248 tree species, 165 shrubs and 148 climbers. 1016 plant
species are wild where as 299 species are being under cultivation or plantation. Out of all these
102 species are of conservation-concern and 76 are naturally rare ( Source: Pandey et al., 2005.
Medicinal plants of Gujarat, GEER Foundation, Gandhinagar).

Table 1: Zone wise medicinal plants hotspots in Gujarat State

Zones No. of Hotspots No. of districts No. of species
South Gujarat 3 2 923
Southeast Gujarat 6 2 1002
Central Gujarat 10 4 1048
North Gujarat 8 2 918
Saurashtra 10 3 977
Kachchh 8 1 691
Total 45 14 1315
(Source: Pandey et al.,2005. Medicinal plants of Gujarat, GEER Foundation, Gandhinagar

5.1. Floral Diversity in Project Area:

Fig 1: Medicinal Plants Hotspots in South Gujarat

Out of 1315 medicinal plants, 186 species are commercially utilized and traded in
Gujarat state. 108 species are highly traded. These species have both commercial along with
ecological significance. The increasing pressure of commercial demand over the species is one
of the major factors, which has caused the depletion in natural habitat. These species seem to
have been subjected to unregulated and unscientific method of collection and over exploitation
due to their medicinal values. So, this is the high time to conserve and propagate different
natural population of highly traded and rare medicinal plants both in-situ and ex-situ. Some of
the species are facing a very high level of danger and few of them which occur in this zone are
also getting reflected in the threatened category. There are three medicinal plants occurring in
this zone are enlisted in red data list of IUCN2001 (Dalbergia latifolia, Santalum album and
Saraca asoca).The focussed conservation programme for such species is certainly going to be a
constructive step towards the saving of these threatened and valuable species.
About 15% of Gujarat state population is tribal, which is represented by about 30 ethnic
groups, well distributed in the southern and eastern part of the state, which incidentally
coincides with the best forested areas. These ethnic groups through their observations and
experiences with the nature, have developed their own indigenous systems of treating ailments
using different plants. In Gujarat the traditional practitioners amongst these ethnic groups are
commonly known as Bhubas, vaidyas, bhagats, etc. According to one of the study, these
people have the traditional knowledge and wisdom about the medicinal values of at least 500
plant species, however approximately 179 species are being used by these local practitioners.

5.2. Medicinal Plants Hotspots in South Gujarat:

Zone Locations Districts No. of Whether part Remarks

species of any
protected
Area
Zone 1 Forest areas around Dangs >200 No High Medicinal
villages Shamgahan, Plant Diversity
Malegaon, Saputara, Distinguished
Jakhana Species composition
due to higher
altitudes and moist
conditions
Forest areas around Dangs >175 Yes High Medicinal
villages Bardipada, (Purna Wildlife Plant Diversity
Mahal, Gadhvi etc. Santuary)
Forest area around Ta.Vansda >180 Yes High Medicinal
villages Navtad, Sadad Dist. Navsari (Vansda Plant Diversity
devi etc. National Park )
Zone II Forest areas of Ta.Dediapada >200 Yes High Medicinal
compartment Nos. 282, Dist. Narmada (Shoolpaneshw Plant Diversity
287, 292, 292 ar sanctuary)
Forest areas of com. Nos. Ta.Umarpada >325 No High Medicinal
477,481,482, 483, 484, Dist. Surat Plant Diversity
485, 486, 504
Zone Locations Districts No. of Whether part Remarks
species of any
protected
Area
Forest areas of Ta.Rajpipla - No High Medicinal
compartment Nos. 687, Dist. Narmada Plant Diversity
695
Forest areas around Ta.Songarh 200 Yes (Purna High Medicinal
villages Motatadpada, Dist. Surat Wildlife Plant Diversity
Bardipada sanctuary)
Forest areas around Ta.Vyara 200 Yes (Purna High Medicinal
villages Unai- Dist. Surat Wildlife Plant Diversity
Padamdungari sanctuary)
Forest areas of Ta.Mandavi - No High Medicinal
compartment Nos. 618, Dist. Surat Plant Diversity
694, 698, 699, 700

It is proposed to have a focus on species spectrum which is having high medicinal,

economical and ecological values with suitability to these zones. Many of these medicinal plant
species are commercially utilized and traded. A list of some of these plants are given below

Table 2: Habits of species utilised by ethnic people in the state

Habits Total no. of medicinal No. of species used

species in the state by ethnic groups
Trees 248 82
Shrubs 165 22
Herbs 754 45
Climber 148 30
Total 1315 179

Table 3: Important conservation concern species in South & South East Gujarat

Sr. No. Scientific Name Habit

1 Saraca asoca Tree
2 Tinospora cordifolia Climber
3 Gloriosa superba Shrub
4 T. bellerica Tree
6 Terminalia chebula Tree

5.3 Profile of Medicinal Plant Species in South Gujarat:

A detailed resource study on medicinal plants of Gujarat was carried out by the Gujarat
Forest Department through the GEER Foundation. The study reveals the assessment of the
medicinal flora of the state along with the ethnobotanical and market survey information. This
study gives the detailed account of the medicinal plant resource in various zones of the state.
Accordingly, the state has been divided into six zones, viz., South Gujarat, South East Gujarat,
Central Gujarat, North Gujarat, Saurashtra and Kachchh. The area of Valsad & Surat circle falls
in Zone-I & Zone II. The forest resources of these districts are being managed by the Deputy
Conservator of Forests- namely, Valsad North, Valsad South, Rajpipla(W), Rajpipla(E), Vyara
and Dangs North & South. These two zones comprises mainly of moist deciduous forests as per
Champion and Seths classification and receives an annual rainfall of 1500-2000 mm. The
vegetation consists mostly of teak and its associates such as bamboos, Terminalia spp, Gmelina
arborea, Dalbergia latifolia, etc.
South Gujarat has 70% of the 1315 medicinal plant species found in the state. In terms of
density of species diversity (number of species per 100 sq. km), these two zones ranks first
respectively in the state. There is a well defined stratification of vegetation including herbs,
shrubs, trees and climbers. These two zones have endemic population of 71 species of medicinal
plants of conservation concern, which constitutes 70% of the States total. These two zones
have also the richness in representing the 14 medicinal plant species, which are endemic to
India. It is also noteworthing that these two zones also has a noticeable population of medicinal
orchids such as Nervilia aragoana, N. discolour, Vanda tasellata, Habernaria longicorniculata,
Platenanthera sussane, and medicinal lianas such as Entada pursuetha and Radermachera
xylocarpa.

Fig.2: Graph showing the zone-wise distribution of medicinal plant species

in Gujarat. South Gujarat shows the highest density among all the zones.

5.4 The International Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):

Provides a new impetus for collective and responsible action in the field of medicinal
plant diversity. It provides the foundations upon which to build action-oriented programmes, and
the framework for future progress. But the real foundations of the Convention are the
commitments by signatory states and by people to conserve biodiversity, to sustainable use it,
and to share equitably the benefits arising out of its utilization. It brings together all
governments and people around the world, the economic, as well as the cultural and aesthetic,
values of nature. As the Global Biodiversity Strategy states that, the same will be achieved by
the triple mechanism of saving it, studying it, and using it, all components of which are mutually
reinforcing and of the greatest importance. The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation also
insists for Conservation and Sustainable use of Biological Resources with special emphasis on
medicinal plants. At National level, India is one of the signatories of the CBD and binds to
follow and achieve CBD. National Forest Policy (1988) of India also emphasise conservation of
biodiversity, which includes medicinal plant diversity with the help of peoples participation.

5.5 Market Study:

Gujarat is one of the industrially developed state. A large number of pharmaceutical
industries have been established in the state. There are more than 605 ayurvedic pharmaceutical
industries, which are using medicinal plants parts as raw material. According to one of the
survey, 270 medicinal plants are being consumed by these units, out of which 201 species are
indigenous and 69 species are imported. A rough estimate revealed that these industries are using
37.5 lakhs Kg of plant parts annually. Another market survey suggests that amongst the
medicinal plants used by pharmaceutical industry, Terminalia bellerica and Terminalia arjuna is
used by all. This is followed by, that are used by 80% of pharmaceutical industries. The survey
also revealed that these units are experiencing the shortage of raw material for the plant products
from species like Aegle marmelos, Gmelina arborea, Steteospermum Suaveolens, Desmodium
gagenticum, Oroxylum indicum, Clerodendrum multiflorum (Burm.f.), Solanum indicum,
Solanum surattens, Tribulus terrestris, and Uraria picta forming the dashmoola group of
species. It is also pertinent to mention that according to the survey, 90% of these medicinal plant
species are being collected wild, mostly from forest areas and the existing natural resource is not
commensurate with the growing demand.

5.6 Demand and supply gap:

The collection status of non timber forest products including medicinal plants raw
material from indigenous (wild) plants is studied and analyzed. The study revealed that Forest
Development Corporation and Ayurvedic department are collecting and marketing the raw material
annually. Forest Development Corporation, on an average is collecting 1910 metric ton from 38
species while Ayurvedic department is collecting 31 metric ton from 62 species annually.
Therefore, total authentic, collection is 1941 metric ton medicinal plants raw material of 78
species, against 2499 metric ton medicinal plants raw material from 148 indigenous (wild)
medicinal plant species is required to the pharmaceutical industries annually.
It is therefore; found that, out of total 148 wild medicinal plants are consumed by the
industry, only 65 species are collected legally by government agencies. Six more species which
are not included in the list of 148 wild species also recorded under collection, must be utilized in
Ayuevedic preparations. The supply of the raw material particularly to that of root based
material from trees of Dashmoola group is very-very meager and hardly there are reliable data
available which support supply scenario. This kind of short supply may lead to the use of either
substituted or very-very low quantity in the ayurvedic formulations and ultimately affects the
efficacy of the ayurvedic formulations. In addition to above, there are certain species whose
number has decreased drastically to low level and raw material from such species like Saraca,
Semicarpus is in very short supply and ayurvedic formulations bases on these species also fall in
same category as indicated above.
In addition to this, there are certain species like T. chebula whose products are also in
high demand but their number is decreasing. In view of above, it is imperative to develope and
conserve the medicinal plant resources in the overall interest of not only ayurvedic formulations
but also to restore the faith of the herbal ayurvedic medicines and conservation of these high and
endangered species. Hence there is urgent need for an intervention to develop and conserve the
resource base for dashmoola and other associated species.
The summary of demand and supply gap of indigenous medicinal plants (wild) with
quantity is given in table 4.
Table-4: Status of demand and supply scenario of wild medicinal plants.
Sr. Plant No. of Quantity No. of Quantity Difference
No. Groups Species (Mt.) species (Mt.) No. of Quantity
consumed collected species (Mt.)
1 Trees 48 788 24 782 -24 -06
2 Shrubs 22 278 08 55 -14 -223

3 Climbers 28 642 11 13 -17 -629

4 Herbs 50 791 22 330 -28 -661

Total : 148 2499 65 980 -83 -1519

It is evident that out of 148 wild medicinal plants, only 65 species (45%) are collected
authentically and legally while 83 species (55 %) are also collected from the wild and supplied to
the pharmacies through their well established middle men network but remained undocumented.
Like wise, 98 metric ton (39 %) raw material is collected authentically and legally while 1519
metric ton (61%) is collected unrecorded from wild and supplied to the pharmacies though their
well established networking. It is an eye opener that indigenous species are supplied largely,
exploited ruthlessly and left the species endangered in nature. Presently, out side of the forest
area there is no government agency is assessing, controlling and monitoring the supply of
medicinal plants.

Table-5 Annual demand of medicinal plants in focus:

Sr. No. Species Common Name Annual Demand (In Tonnes)

1 Aegle marmelos, Bili 34
2 Gmelina arborea, Gambhari 11
3 Steteospermum Suaveolens, Patal 4.2
4 Desmodium gagenticum Sarivan 4.3
5 Oroxylum indicum, Aralu 3.9
6 Clerodendrum multiflorum Arani 3.9*
7 Solanum indicum, Brihat Kantkari 0.045
8 Solanum surattens Kantakari 28.7
9 Tribulus terrestris Gokharu 3.4*
10 Uraria picta Pithwan 6.6*
11 Saraca asoca Ashok 24.5
12 Terminalia chebula Harde 120
13 T. Belarica Baheda 81
14 T. arjuna Arjun 24.5
15 Semicarpus anacardium Bhilamo 0.8
*Extrapolated data from Status of medicinal plant consumption by the pharmaceutical industries in Gujarat state published by
Singh, A. P. and Minoo Parabia (2003)

6. OBJECTIVES :
Conservation and Development of Medicinal Plants
Enhancement of the peoples participation
Improvement of the Economic condition of local people
 Empowerment of the local people
Standardization of sustainable harvesting.
Development of the data base

7. STRATEGY :

The suitable areas in south Gujarat with specific focus on conservation and enhancing
production are identified separately. Participation of local people and end product linked people
centric approach is basic strategy of this project. It is proposed to have a focus on species
spectrum which is having high medicinal, economical and ecological values with suitability to
this zone. The program envisages development of medicinal plant resources in forest areas. The
plantation models have been developed so as to give a focus to the production and conservation
for the targeted species. The composition of the plant species would comprise of trees, shrubs,
herbs and climbers. Thus Area specific, end-use linked, people-centric blending of the species
composition would be implemented with specific planting designs. The list of plant species
comprises mainly of species such as: Aegle marmelos, Gmelina arborea, Steteospermum
Suaveolens, Desmodium gagenticum, Oroxylum indicum, Clerodendron multiflorum, Uraria
picta, Saraca asoca, Terminalia chebula, T. bellerica, T. arjuna, Semicarpus anacardium,
Asparagus recimosus Tinospora cordifolia piper longum, Gloriosa superba, Plumbago
zeylanica etc. Efforts will be made to plant the grafted seedling of Harde and Baheda so as to
facilitate the early benefit flow from the project. During this project period capacity building
activities will be carried out for all the stakeholders through training, exposure tours, awareness
campaign etc. Sustainable harvesting methods for important conservation concerned species will
be developed and promoted. Though species like Solanum indicum, Solanum surattens, and
Tribulus terrestris are the important constituents of the Dashmoola group but the same are not
being proposed in the plantation program as the existing availability is sufficient naturally. Thus
the project is blend of conservation and production and conservation.
The production oriented development of the medicinal plant resource in 500 ha in forest
area and over 3.00 lacs medicinal plant seedling distribution.
7.1. Stakeholders:
Medicinal plants are a valuable natural resource. The indicative list of stakeholders is as
under:

1. The local people including traditional practitioners and health healers

2. Pharmaceutical industry and traders
 3. Forest department
4. Research organizations, Universities and NGOs.
5. Gujarat State Forest Development Corporation Ltd
6. AYUSH
8. Project Period: The project is proposed for five years duration from 2007-08 to 2012-13.

9. Details of infrastructure available:

The Forest Department is having well-equipped nurseries with watering facilities. The
department has the technical manpower for raising of plantations and having the sufficient land
resource. Most of the forested districts have Forest Development Agency (FDA) and
approximately 2058 JFM committees are in place in Gujarat. In South Gujarat, more than 500
JFM Committees are working for conservation and development of forests. In addition to the
research organizations, the forest department has well equipped Forest Research Institute at
Gandhinagar headed by the CCF level forest officer.
10. WORK PLAN:
It is proposed to cover 1300 ha area under the project. The proposed areas have been
identified both in Surat and Valsad circle. The compact areas are selected for concentrated
working to ensure better management and desired level of project outcome. In addition to this
seed distribution programme to farmers has also been proposed. The proposed work programme
is as under
10.1 Establishment of Medicinal Plant Development Area.
10.2 Distribution of seedlings.
10.3 Development of Marketing.
10.4 Development of Infrastructure
10.5. Establishment of the Institutional Mechanism.
10.6 Human resource development
10.7 Establishment of Mechanism for benefit sharing
10.8 Monitoring & Evaluation
 1
1 Plantation on forest land

1
1 1
1

1
1

1
1

Fig.3. Showing details of project area

10.1 Establishment of MPDAs

The proposed area for this interventions is being focused for developing the raw material
to supply of dasmoola and other associated species products. It is proposed to cover the 1300 ha.
area under MPDA in forest area. The 400 ha. forest area would be managed for medicinal plants
of dashmoola group and medicinal plantation in private farmland would be also be promoted
through seedling distribution. The proposed intervention mainly includes the identification of
species spectrum, selection of suitable sites, Identifying the CPTs, raising of nursery (including
grafting of certain species), plantation of the identified species, harvesting of medicinal plants,
replanting of the same and sustainable management of the plantations so raised through the
institutional arrangement of JFM and support of research organizations. Thus the details of the
programme would be under
10.1.1 Plantation of dashmoola group of species in forest areas :
 As far as the dashmoola group is concern following 10 species forms basic formulation
viz. Aegle marmelos, Gmelina arborea, Steteospermum Suaveolens, Desmodium gagenticum,
Oroxylum indicum, Clerodendrum multiflorum (Burm.f.), Solanum indicum, Solanum surattens,
Tribulus terrestris, and Uraria picta. The availability of Solanum indicum, Solanum surattens,
Tribulus terrestris, based roots are available in adequate quantity, hence plantations of these
species is not being proposed in the project.
Table-6: Details of the proposed area:
Details of area under MPDA (DASHMOOLA GROUP)
Range Taluka Village Division Area in hactare
Sanjan Umargam Daheli, Manda, Sarigam Valsad(S) 200
Gora Nandod Boridra & surrounding villages Rajpipla(E) 150
Umarpada Umarpada Chokhwara Rajpipla(w) 150
TOTAL AREA UNDER DASHMOOLA GROUP 500

Table-7: Details of the tree species composition for plantaion in forest area of
dashmoola group
Species Area under plantaion No. of Plants to be Planted at 4m X 4m
(ha) (in Lakhs)

Scientific name Common Surat Valsad Surat Valsad Total

name circle circle circle circle number
Aegle marmelos, Bili, Bel 90 60 0.57 0.38 0.95
Steteospermum Patal, Patla
50 35 0.31 0.22 0.53
Suaveolens,
Gmelina arborea, Gambhari,
60 35 0.375 0.22 0.595
Siven
Oroxylum Aralu, Tetu
50 35 0.31 0.22 0.53
indicum,
Clerodendron Arni
50 35 0.31 0.22 0.53
multiflorum
Total 300 200 1.875 1.25 3.125

Table-8: Details of the Species composition in plantation

Area No. of Plants to be Planted

Species
(ha) (in Lakhs)
 Scientific name Total Tree / Tree/ Trees Hedge Herb/ Total
Common name Area hedge herb/ shrubs
shrub
Aegle marmelos, 150
90 60 0.94 4.5 3.0 8.44
Bel
Steteospermum
Suaveolens, 100 85 15 0.625 4.25 0.75 5.625
Patala
Gmelina arborea, 90
80 10 0.56 4.0 0.50 5.06
Gambhari
Oroxylum 90
75 15 0.56 3.75 0.75 5.06
indicum,Arlu
Clerodendron 70
55 15 0.43 2.75 0.75 3.93
multiflorum , Arni
Total 500 385 115 3.12 19.25 5.75 28.11
Uraria picta and Desmodium gagenticum are proposed as herbs/ shrubs.

Plantation model of dashmoola group

The plantation models are proposed in such a way that tree species namely Aegle
marmelos, Gmelina arborea, Steteospermum Suaveolens, Oroxylum indicum,and Clerodendrum
are planted at the spacing of 4m.x4m. (5 tree species and, 2 annuals Desmodium gagenticum,
and Uraria picta are proposed in the intermediate space available between 2 rows where in these
species are proposed to be planted at closure spacing of 1m. x 1m. Like this in a hectare 625
tree species would be planted and 5000 in number are proposed in intermediate space.