23 medicinal plants marked for endangered list in Karnataka

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An exhaustive study carried out by the Karnataka Biodiversity Board and National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) reported about the 23 medicinal plants in the forest standing right at the point where they could get extinct, and were labeled under ‘endangered’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list.

The endangered plants comprises of sandalwood, wild clove, red sanders, wild jamun, wild cinnamon, and various species inherent ti Western Ghats. The State Biodiversity Board in Bengaluru put forth a comprehensive report concentrating on the importance of the species. The details of the findings has invoked the board to take precautionary steps to protect the species.

In conversation with Deccan Herald,  Ananth Hedge Ashisara, Chairperson of the Biodiversity Board stated, “Destruction of forests for projects, damage caused while extracting forest produce, increasing demand for herbal products, smuggling of these plants and wildfire in the summer season have put these species in peril.”

Regarding the study conducted, Ananth stated a total distance of 12,820 km was covered for documenting the species. He added, “We need to chalk out plans under the Forest Protection Act and Biodiversity Act to prevent exploitation of these species and take up conservation on a large scale.”

The highest density of the medicinally relevant plants have been concentrated in Uttara Kannada and Mangaluru with also having several endangered species. Alongside, with dry deciduous cover, Kalaburagi and Mysuru also have high amount if medicinal plants.

Considering the extinction of the species, the Biodiversity Board has given strict protocols and plan of action for Forest Working Plan to ensure the protection of the endangered species.

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