North East India is one of the richest repositories of Medicinal and Aromatic plants in the world. The ages long integral relationship between human race and plant resources endued the modern civilization with many medicinal qualities. Our infelicity lies in lax administration and absence of laws that has encouraged China along with several neighboring countries is exploiting this rich repositories.
An international gang is active in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya ,Mizoram including other states in the region. Around rupees 15 to 20 crores worth medicinal plants have been smuggled every year. A scientist associated with the research in medicinal plants divulged this information. According to him everyday a truck loaded with rich medicinal plants is sent across Myanmar, Bangladesh, to China, Germany, Britain, and America. Obtrusively, the gang has support of few industrial houses in India too. The local tribes of the forest and hill regions couldn’t identify medicinal plants which makes it easy for the agents to deceive them by paying meager amounts. Former President Abdul Kalam during his tour of North East India said that there is abundance of natural resources in the region. And if it would be utilized efficiently it will become a key factor behind economic prosperity of the country. Indeed, his statement was worth taking note of. Entire world is aware about the natural resources and extensive research work in this direction. However, India’s approach has stifled the possibilities.
In medical science these medicinal plants and herbs are used to cure deadly diseases. Significantly, these medicines do not have side effects. The famous Yoga Guru Baba Ram Dev also says that there is plethora of medicinal plants in the country. We have to identify and preserve these plants. The government must take action to terminate the illicit smuggling of rich medicinal plants.
Charaka Samhita ,the oldest ancient treatise of Ayurveda is available in India since a long time. More than 340 herbs are mentioned in the treatise that is obtained from plants. Interestingly most of them are around us and is used in allopathy too. Several medicine companies have started the farming business of medicinal plants and flora in the region. The central government needs to encourage their efforts. In the 90’s the Central Health Ministry initiated many schemes to encourage farming of medicinal plants. Several western countries including America have been planning to use the biological properties of India for their purposes.
There are more than 17,000 species of flora in the country. The multinational companies have claimed many species of Indian flora. For instance, after continuous resistance of India an American company had to forego the patent on Turmeric. Considering the company’s intention, the patent law 2002 was passed in Parliament. It is now known as Indian Bio Diversity Act. The smugglers’ business has escalated since Supreme Court has banned the cutting of trees in forest regions.
A recent report manifests that medicinal species are under threat of extinction. The government must take action before it is too late.
