Biodiversity holds the future for Himalayan people

“Medicinal plants for the future sustainability of Himalayan people”

Globally, Medicinal plants have been used in various systems of medicine for curing range of diseases and aliments since time immemorial. World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that approximately 80% of the world population still depend on herbal medicine for for their primary health care needs. WHO assessed that around 21,000 plants having the medicinal potential around the world. Age old Indian Vedas and Puranas such as Rigveda, Atharveda, Ramanaya, Mahabharata, Charak Samhita, Susshruta Samhita highlights the usefulness of medicinal plants. As per National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB) assessment more than 7000 species are estimated to have medicinal usage in folk and traditional medicine health care in the country. Whereas, about 2,700 plants species are reported to be used in the codified Indian Systems of Medicine viz. Ayurveda (1800 species), Siddha (500 species), Unani (400 species) and Amchi (300 species).Medicinal plants are not only provide the primary healthcare needs of thousands of dependant populace but also support the livelihood of many indigenous communities. In India, about 1178 species of medicinal plants are estimated to be in trade of which 242 species have annual consumption levels in excess of 100 metric tons/year. The domestic demand of medicinal plants has been estimated 1.95 lakh MT for the year of 2014-2015 and export demand of medicinal plants has been estimated 1.34 lakh MT during 2014-2015. However, more than 90% of the species used in trade continue to be collected from the wild, and nearly 66% are being gathered through destructive and un-sustainable way to full fil the demand of the herbal industries. This has brought several plants at the verge of extinction. The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is the major repository of medicinal plants. The region as a whole support nearly 50% of the total flowering plants in India, of which 30% are endemic to the region. A review of existing biodiversity information of IHR reveals that there are approximately 18,440 plant species of which 1748 are medicinal plants, 675 wild edibles, 279 fodder species, 155 sacred plants and 118 essential oil plants with medicinal values.

 

Himachal Pradesh is a biodiversity rich Himalayan state of IHR, it is popularly known as the Devbhumi "Land of the Gods". The landscape of state is characterized by snow capped mountain, lush green forest, rich biological resource, diverse agroclimatic zones, mesmerising horticulture orchards and culturally diverse populace.  It was adobe of the various rishis, munies and scholars, who studied the medicinal plants of the region. Around 800 species are estimated to be used for some or the other medicinal purposes within and outside the State. Medicinal plants are being used by indigenous communities of the state for their primary health care needs. Traditional wisdom of community on medicinal plants play key role in the treat various diseases particularly in the rural areas of the state.  Where the primary heath care services are not properly available. Medicinal plants sector has been identified and prioritized by the state government for boosting the economy of the state. It will not only provide livelihood opportunities to people of the state but also generate ample amount of employment option particularly for the younger generation. The forest dependant indigenous communities of the state have several rights over forest such as collection of non timber forest proudcts (NTFP) including medicinal plants from the wild. These rights are known as bartan and holders of these rights are called bartandars. However, unsustainable extraction of medicinal plants from the wild, diverse anthropogenic interventions, disinterest of traditional indigenous knowledge etc. are the main reasons for the depletion of medicinal plant resources and associated knowledge in the state.

In Himalayan region particularly in Himachal Pradesh several farmers have adopted the  medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation as livelihood option. Mr. Jahan Singh is one of the farmer of Shangarh village of Sainj valley, cultivating Kutki/Kadu (Picrorhiza kurroa) in 3 acre land. Similarly, Mr. Dheeraj Sharma of Suppa village of Chamba district is cultivating Picrorhiza kurroa, Aconitum heterophyllum , Bergenia ciliate, Cinnamomum tamala^,, Valeriana jatamansi^,, Angelica glauca, Podophyllum hexandrum etc. medicinal plants . Mr. Trithaj Raj Thakur of Solangnalla village of Manali has also started cultivation of Picrorhiza kurroa and Aconitum heterophyllum. ​Himachal Regional Centre of the institute is supporting such medicinal plants cultivators and promoting other farmers for cultivation of medicinal plants. These interventions will not only help to increase the farmers income but at the same time organic medicinal plants cultivation will reduce the pressure on wild genetic resource of the such threatened medicinal plants in IHR (Photo 1 & 2).

 

Presently, the entire world is facing the Pandemic COVID 19 problem, under this global health emergency situation, Govt. of India is hopeful that the Indian traditional medicinal system will provide the solutions to overcome COVID 19 Pandemics. Therefore, Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy), Government of India is planning to start the clinical trails of four traditional medicines to treat coronavirus infection. The selected herbal medicines are Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Yashtimadhu or Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Guduchi Pippali or Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) and AYUSH-64. These medicines were invented for the treatment of malaria. AYUSH-64 is developed with the composition of Picrorhiza kurroa, Swertia Chirayita, Alstonia scholaris, Caesalpinia Crista species. Most of the selected herbal species are only occur in the Himalayan region, these herbs are immunomodulators, therefore, they may play key role for curing this life threatening infectious disease.  

 

Excessive extraction of high value medicinal plants from wild has depleted the wild stock of such species. Therefore, cultivation is the only way to conservation of genetic stock of such valuable species. In addition to this, documentation of medicinal plant diversity, assessment of bio-chemical and genetic variability, value chain development, standardization of agro-techniques and propagation protocols, strengthening of medicinal plant trade and enterprises, capacity building of stakeholders and legal reforms are urgently required for the holistic development of the medicinal plant sector in the Himalayan region. The article concludes that the medicinal plant sector would be a potential vehicle for the future sustainability of Himalayan people.

Community Based Birdwatching Ecotourism

Birdwatching tourism or avitourism is a form of nature based ecotourism that deals to travel and tourism for observing and identifying birds in their natural habitats. It is one of the fastest growing outdoor activity around the world and particularly gaining popularity in developing countries. Birdwatchers are mostly conservation-minded responsible ecotourists, respect wildlife and natural habitats and have above average incomes¹. As per economic assessment study the annual economic value of bird watching tourism industry in United States is around $107 billion and United Kingdom birdwatching expenditures are estimated at $500 million per year. Birdwatching tourism opens potential remote areas for birdwatchers and also provides economic motivation to local community for conservation of bird species and natural habitats.

        Birdwatching tourism in Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve, China

Arunachal Pradesh is recognized as one of the 25 mega biodiversity hotspots of the world with the second highest breeding bird diversity in the world². It is largest mountain state (83,743 km²) of North East Region of the country, having 80% forest cover and considerable area (around 11.82 % of geographical area of the state) under protected area network (PAN). There are 2 National Parks, 11 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 1 orchid sanctuary, 2 tiger reserves, 2 elephant reserves and 1 biosphere reserve in the state. The state has an exceptional richness in avian diversity, around 750 birds species have been recorded from the state (57 % of total avian species of country), making the state second highest avian diversity state in the country^3,4. There are 25 notified Important Bird Areas (IBA) in the state. Arunachal Pradesh is not fully explored in ornithological perspective and holds great potential for new bird species discoveries⁵. Some new bird Species such as Himalayan Forest Thrush (Zoothera salimalii), Bugun Liocichla (Liocichla bugunorum) and new subspecies of the Sclater’s monal (Lophophorus sclateri arunachalensis) have recently been recorded from the state. Diverse landscapes and varied climatic conditions also offer suitable habitats of various migratory birds viz. Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis), Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), Spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), Anas Spp. Arunachal Pradesh has the highest diversity of hornbills in the country, as it is home to five different species (out of 9 species recorded from India) namely Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis), Rufous-necked Hornbill (Aceros nipalensis), Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulates), White-throated Brown Hornbill (Anorrhinus austeni) and Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris). Rich and unique bird diversity of state makes it a very idle destination of birdwatchers. Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary (454 avifauna), Namdapha National Parks (491 avifauna), Pakke Tiger Reserve (282 avifauna), Mouling National Park (114 avifauna), Dehang Dibang Biosphere Reserve (153 avifauna), Tawang area (113 avifauna) and Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (130 avifauna) are some of the potential birdwatching areas of the state.

   Migratory Rudy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) at Shungaster lake, Tawang

Author has recently participated in a regional workshop on harnessing potential on birdwatching ecotourism under Landscape Initiative for the Far-Eastern Himalayas (HI-LIFE) project organized by International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Nepal in Baihualing village of Yunnan, China and observed that villagers of Baihualing have successfully promoted the birdwatching tourism. Now this village has become a popular destination for international and national birdwatchers due to its close proximity to Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve (GNNR) and the rich diversity of bird species. The local community are directly getting livelihood benefits from homestay operation, food, transport, bird watching ponds & hides, bird guide services and selling of local products and souvenir. They are also actively involved in various bird and nature conservation activities.

Considering the rich diversity of birds and presence of important bird areas in Arunachal Pradesh, there is ample opportunity for development of birdwatching tourism in the state therefore such community driven birdwatching ecotourism initiative needs to be implemented in the state. This will provide alternative livelihood opportunity to local community and will also reduce pressure on the forest and natural resources and ultimately help in conservation of biodiversity. It could also be one of the climate change mitigation and adaptation strategy for this climate change sensitive Himalayan state⁶.  At present, Bugun community is involved in birdwatching tourism activity in Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary of the state but, there is huge potential for development of birdwatching tourism sector in the other areas of state. Collaborative actions and wider partnership of all stake holders mainly forest and tourism departments, research institutions, researchers, non government organization (NGO), tourism sector organizations and community are urgently need to harness the birdwatching tourism potential of the state. Capacity building and awareness creation among local community are other important priority areas for sustainable development of community based birdwatching tourism in Arunachal Pradesh.

References:

     1. Sekercioglu, C.,Impacts of birdwatching on human and avian communities. Environ Conserv., 2002, 29, 282–289.

     2. Mohan, D. and Athreya, R., Sustainable bird based tourism in India's remote north-east frontier. International Journal of Innovation Science, 2011, 3, 23–28.

    3. Chowdhury, A. U., A pocket guide to the birds of Arunachal Pradesh. 1st ed. Gibbon Books, Guwahati, 2006.

     4. Mize, D. and Tsomu, T., Avi-fauna species recorded from the Rono Hill of Arunachal Pradesh. The Ecoscan, 2012, 6,177-180.

    5. Mishra, C. and Datta, A., A new bird species from eastern Himalayan Arunachal Pradesh- India’s biological Frontier. Current Science, 2007, 92(9), 1205-1206.

   6. Kanwal, K.S., et al., Climate change and high-altitude wetlands of Arunachal Pradesh. Current Science, 2013, 105 (8), 1037-38.