SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS SECTOR IN INDIA: AN OVERVIEW

摘要

Use of plant-based medicines for primary healthcare is widespread amongst the developing countries of the world. A number of systems viz. Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathy, Siddha, Tibetan, folklore etc. have commonly been used by the rural people in our country for treating various ailments. Considering the potential of these therapies and freedom from side effects, people living in urban areas as well as western countries have started relying upon them. This has caused an upsurge in the demand for the raw materials, and the stocks of a number of species have started dwindling in wild. In order to assure uninterrupted supply to the industries, without compromising with the basic rights of the tribes/ rural people, a sustainable approach is the need of the hour. Present report explores possible measures to conserve the biodiversity of medicinal and aromatic plant wealth in India and its sustainable use for the welfare of human beings.