Trade of threatened Himalayan medicinal and aromatic plants-socioeconomy, management and conservation issues in Garhwal Himalaya, India
Collection and trade of medicinal and aromatic plant species (MAPs) is age old practice throughout the world to increase household income. Over harvesting decreased their populations and a number of species became threatened in natural habitat. Survey was conducted on trade of such threatened MAPs from wild in Garhwal Himalaya (Uttarakhand), India. Information’s were collected on MAPs trade, channels involved and profit at each level of transaction. Even after ban on commercial exploitation of some MAPs, trade continued through illegal ways. Harvesting starts from July and continue till November. Further, harvesting prior to seed dispersal decreased chance of recruitment of new individual, due to which abundance of these species is decreasing with alarming rate. Total eighteen species are in active trade from study areas, out of which five are common for all sites. Number of MAPs traded from each site directly influenced by abundance of species in natural habitat. 18% of annual cash income generated from MAPs related activities in these areas. Market demand for Aconitum heterophyllum, Nardostachys jatamansi and Picrorhiza kurrooa is much higher than supply. Percentage of profit varied at each level from site to site and species. Traders earned maximum percentage of profits whereas collectors also received good profit, due to which they were engaged in illegal trade. Rotational harvesting may be applied for sustainable utilization. Agrotechnology has been developed for few MAPs, but incentive should be given to farmers to initiate cultivation of such species for ex situ conservation.
