Medicinal Plant Biodiversity in India: Harnessing Opportunities …
153
9 Economic Potential of Medicinal Plants Contributing
to Household Income
As India is endowed with medicinal plants, they are used by both rural and urban
communities as diet supplements, medicine and alternative source of cash income.
Studies reveal that cultivable area of medicinal plants like—amla, ashwagandha,
sarpagandha and bio-fuel crops like jatropha has drastically increased in recent years
(Brahmanand et al. 2013).
AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) is
estimated to contribute an estimated Rs. 80–90 billion per year (Alok 1991; Hegde
2003; Nautiyal et al. 2015). Harnessing medicinal plants provides great source of
income to rural population particularly the tribal belt in Himalayan region and affirmation of local traditional practices. Moreover, demand for medicinal and aromatic
species have grown multitude due to international pharmaceutical market (Kumar
2002; Hegde 2003; Belt et al. 2003). It is estimated that 4635 ethnic communities
in India are treating human and veterinary disorders by practicing either Ayurveda,
Siddha, Unani and late Tibetian system of treatment (Hegde 2003).
According to an estimate, nearly 50 million people rely on non-timber forest
produce (NTFP) and majority of the produce being medicinal plants. Studies point
out that collection and processing of medicinal plants contribute to at least 35 million
workdays of employment annually. It is confirmed that cultivation of medicinal plants
is more profitable
38 than cash crops (Uniyal et al. 2002; Belt et al. 2003; CUTS 2004;
Bera 2011).
For instance, around the Great Himalayan National Park in Kulu valley, for majority of the people medicinal plant collection and sale contributes an average income
of Rs. 10,000 per family in 1997 (CUTS 2004). But unfortunately, nearly 70% of the
medicinal plant cultivation in Himalayan region is destructively harvested
39 (Planning Commission 2000; Banerji and Basu 2011). Most of the natural habitats are
fast disappearing for industrial and commercial activities generating substantial negative environmental impacts. On the other hand, ban on collection and illegal trade
have put stress on income generation (Belt et al. 2003). In Devarayanadurga forest,
Western Ghats, 167 medicinal plants are locally used (Ramakrishappa n.d).
Global market for medicinal and aromatic plants have increased manifold. By
1980s the WHO assessed the world trade of medicinal plants to $500 million a
year (Lambert et al. 1997). But diverse studies suggests to the continuous growth of
overall medicinal and aromatic plants across the globe (both in terms of cultivation
and trade).
As per the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, global sales
of herbal products totalled an estimated US$ 60,000 million in 2000 (WHO 2003).
38 For instance, cultivation of kuth (Sassurea costus) and Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia servpentina)
fetched between Rs. 14,000 and Rs. 45,000 per hectare respectively. And farmers are expected to
earn Rs. 31,000 per hectre (CUTS 2004).
39 For instance, less than 20 out of estimated 800 species are commercially cultivated discouraging
due to long gestation period (Banerji and Basu 2011).
153
9 Economic Potential of Medicinal Plants Contributing
to Household Income
As India is endowed with medicinal plants, they are used by both rural and urban
communities as diet supplements, medicine and alternative source of cash income.
Studies reveal that cultivable area of medicinal plants like—amla, ashwagandha,
sarpagandha and bio-fuel crops like jatropha has drastically increased in recent years
(Brahmanand et al. 2013).
AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) is
estimated to contribute an estimated Rs. 80–90 billion per year (Alok 1991; Hegde
2003; Nautiyal et al. 2015). Harnessing medicinal plants provides great source of
income to rural population particularly the tribal belt in Himalayan region and affirmation of local traditional practices. Moreover, demand for medicinal and aromatic
species have grown multitude due to international pharmaceutical market (Kumar
2002; Hegde 2003; Belt et al. 2003). It is estimated that 4635 ethnic communities
in India are treating human and veterinary disorders by practicing either Ayurveda,
Siddha, Unani and late Tibetian system of treatment (Hegde 2003).
According to an estimate, nearly 50 million people rely on non-timber forest
produce (NTFP) and majority of the produce being medicinal plants. Studies point
out that collection and processing of medicinal plants contribute to at least 35 million
workdays of employment annually. It is confirmed that cultivation of medicinal plants
is more profitable
38 than cash crops (Uniyal et al. 2002; Belt et al. 2003; CUTS 2004;
Bera 2011).
For instance, around the Great Himalayan National Park in Kulu valley, for majority of the people medicinal plant collection and sale contributes an average income
of Rs. 10,000 per family in 1997 (CUTS 2004). But unfortunately, nearly 70% of the
medicinal plant cultivation in Himalayan region is destructively harvested
39 (Planning Commission 2000; Banerji and Basu 2011). Most of the natural habitats are
fast disappearing for industrial and commercial activities generating substantial negative environmental impacts. On the other hand, ban on collection and illegal trade
have put stress on income generation (Belt et al. 2003). In Devarayanadurga forest,
Western Ghats, 167 medicinal plants are locally used (Ramakrishappa n.d).
Global market for medicinal and aromatic plants have increased manifold. By
1980s the WHO assessed the world trade of medicinal plants to $500 million a
year (Lambert et al. 1997). But diverse studies suggests to the continuous growth of
overall medicinal and aromatic plants across the globe (both in terms of cultivation
and trade).
As per the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, global sales
of herbal products totalled an estimated US$ 60,000 million in 2000 (WHO 2003).
38 For instance, cultivation of kuth (Sassurea costus) and Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia servpentina)
fetched between Rs. 14,000 and Rs. 45,000 per hectare respectively. And farmers are expected to
earn Rs. 31,000 per hectre (CUTS 2004).
39 For instance, less than 20 out of estimated 800 species are commercially cultivated discouraging
due to long gestation period (Banerji and Basu 2011).