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H. K. Chauhan et al.
6 Discussion
Conservation of medicinal plants has been recognized priority agenda at different
national and international forum considering their cultural, livelihood and economic
significance. The Himalayas are considered as the treasure of medicinal plants diversity harbouring many life-saving medicines. However, overexploitation, habitat loss,
parochialism, climate change, and other anthropogenic pressures are posing threats
to their survival. Conservation approaches are essentially required for maintaining
their gene pool in nature. As per WHO the demand of medicinal plant-based raw
drugs is increasing at the rate of 15–25% annually and is expected to reach more
than US$ 5 trillion in 2050 (Kala et al. 2006; Booker et al. 2012).
The extinction trends of a particular species are mainly driven by the combination
of overexploitation and climate change. The species has a narrow geographic distribution and a highly specific habitat requirement. It is subjected to the unregulated
gathering that appears to be reducing its geographic distribution. The narrow distribution range and specific habitat requirements for growth of the species is similar to
some Indian Himalayan medicinal plants which are collected for commercial uses
(Kala 2005). Grazing by livestock in Indian Himalayas has been regarded as the one
of the reasons for declining populations of medicinal plants (Kala 2000; Bhatt et al.
2005), the same may be true for T. govanianum. The life cycle of T. govanianum is
long and is quite similar to other Trillium species (Hanzawa and Kalisz 1993; Ohara
and Kawano 2005). Chauhan et al. (2018) reported that the oldest rhizome of the
species was approximately 30+ years old, likewise 72 years of age was estimated for
T. ovatum (Jules 1997). The peculiar life cycle and restricted habitat make the species
more vulnerable. For other Trillium species (T. ovatum), it was reported that recovery
following stand replacement disturbances was slow (Kahmen and Jules 2005).
The target species, T. govanianum, endemic to the Himalayas, is well known
for treating several diseases. Pharmacological potential of the species has shown its
medical application in a large number of life-threatening diseases including cancer
(Khan et al. 2016). Ex situ propagation methods offer mass propagation of elite
germplasm that could be used as the substitute for the wild collection and may help
in the conservation of the species. However, commercial successful propagation
protocols are not available for the species yet.
7 Conclusion
The medicinal value and active constituents of T. govanianum have a significant
prospect in treating several life-threatening diseases. However, the species is at
the risk of local extinction from the Indian Himalayas. The peculiar life cycle,
restricted habitat, narrow distribution range, over-exploitation, and increased market
value are the major threats to the survival of the species. Limited research has been
carried on the ex situ propagation of the species. Public awareness and their inclusion
H. K. Chauhan et al.
6 Discussion
Conservation of medicinal plants has been recognized priority agenda at different
national and international forum considering their cultural, livelihood and economic
significance. The Himalayas are considered as the treasure of medicinal plants diversity harbouring many life-saving medicines. However, overexploitation, habitat loss,
parochialism, climate change, and other anthropogenic pressures are posing threats
to their survival. Conservation approaches are essentially required for maintaining
their gene pool in nature. As per WHO the demand of medicinal plant-based raw
drugs is increasing at the rate of 15–25% annually and is expected to reach more
than US$ 5 trillion in 2050 (Kala et al. 2006; Booker et al. 2012).
The extinction trends of a particular species are mainly driven by the combination
of overexploitation and climate change. The species has a narrow geographic distribution and a highly specific habitat requirement. It is subjected to the unregulated
gathering that appears to be reducing its geographic distribution. The narrow distribution range and specific habitat requirements for growth of the species is similar to
some Indian Himalayan medicinal plants which are collected for commercial uses
(Kala 2005). Grazing by livestock in Indian Himalayas has been regarded as the one
of the reasons for declining populations of medicinal plants (Kala 2000; Bhatt et al.
2005), the same may be true for T. govanianum. The life cycle of T. govanianum is
long and is quite similar to other Trillium species (Hanzawa and Kalisz 1993; Ohara
and Kawano 2005). Chauhan et al. (2018) reported that the oldest rhizome of the
species was approximately 30+ years old, likewise 72 years of age was estimated for
T. ovatum (Jules 1997). The peculiar life cycle and restricted habitat make the species
more vulnerable. For other Trillium species (T. ovatum), it was reported that recovery
following stand replacement disturbances was slow (Kahmen and Jules 2005).
The target species, T. govanianum, endemic to the Himalayas, is well known
for treating several diseases. Pharmacological potential of the species has shown its
medical application in a large number of life-threatening diseases including cancer
(Khan et al. 2016). Ex situ propagation methods offer mass propagation of elite
germplasm that could be used as the substitute for the wild collection and may help
in the conservation of the species. However, commercial successful propagation
protocols are not available for the species yet.
7 Conclusion
The medicinal value and active constituents of T. govanianum have a significant
prospect in treating several life-threatening diseases. However, the species is at
the risk of local extinction from the Indian Himalayas. The peculiar life cycle,
restricted habitat, narrow distribution range, over-exploitation, and increased market
value are the major threats to the survival of the species. Limited research has been
carried on the ex situ propagation of the species. Public awareness and their inclusion