Environmental conservation work in India

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24 Nov 2008
India’s wild medicinal plants threatened through over-exploitation
Delhi, India, 24 November 2008: India is a hub of the wild-collected plant medicine industry in Asia, but key species have declined owing to over-collection to supply domestic and foreign medicinal markets, and action needs to be taken to ensure the sustainability of supplies, finds a new study released today by TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network.

The study, commissioned by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz, BfN), focuses on seven plant species of conservation concern protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Wild plant species form the foundation of healthcare practices throughout much of Asia, particularly traditional practices, such as traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Tibetan medicines, whilst compounds such as reserpine from Snakeroot and paclitaxel from Himalayan Yew have important pharmaceutical uses in Europe, North America and elsewhere.

Some species are in demand for their aromatic properties too, for example the use of Jatamansi oil dates back over a thousand years, whilst Red Sanders is also in demand for its timber and as a source of red dye. In India, collection and processing of medicinal plants contributes at least 35 million workdays per year to the poor and under-employed, but rising demand is threatening this vital source of livelihood income both in India and elsewhere.

Many of the medicinal plants in trade in India are collected in alpine regions of neighbouring Nepal, where collection of species such as Jatamansi and Kutki runs to hundreds of tonnes of rhizomes, harvested by thousands of collectors who supply middlemen to large-scale wholesalers in Nepal and India. Raw materials are often transported on to wholesale markets in Delhi, Amritsar and Kolkata for onward sale.

“With regard to trade in Himalayan medicinal plants most, though not all, roads lead to India, which is both a major manufacturing centre and end consumer market,” says TRAFFIC’s Teresa Mulliken, an author of the report.

India has a highly developed herbal and pharmaceutical products manufacturing industry, although trade patterns are shifting for some species and China is a growing manufacturing centre for products such as taxanes (derived from Taxus spp).

Researchers from TRAFFIC and IUCN, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, examined the trade in seven medicinal plants species with very different life histories, uses and trade patterns, to give a broad overview of Asia’s medicinal plant trade. India emerged as a major destination for trade in all but two of the seven species studied—Desert Cistanche and Himalayan Yew.

But all seven species are declining through over-harvesting, although not necessarily of the plants themselves. For example, Desert Cistanche, native to China and Mongolia, is also declining because the trees it parasitizes are harvested for timber, fuelwood and fodder. All the species are protected under national legislation and international trade controls—the latter through listing in CITES, which requires international trade to be maintained within sustainable levels, but despite these measures, wild populations continue to decline.

As Mulliken notes: “Although controls on the collection and trade in medicinal plants exist to bring harvesting levels within sustainable levels, their implementation is frequently poor.”

Cultivation is routinely promoted as the answer to dwindling supplies and over-collection of wild medicinal plants, and research into cultivation has been carried out for all seven species studied.

“Cultivation may appear to be the answer, but it’s not always that straightforward,” notes Mulliken. “Some species are difficult to grow in artificial conditions and cultivation may be unprofitable for farmers owing to the long growing time between planting and commercial harvest.” Growing times for some species can be several years.

“Much less emphasis is being put on development and promotion of sustainable wild collection practices, which may be the only viable option to ensure sustainable supplies of some of these species,” says Mulliken.

TRAFFIC, BfN, the IUCN/SSC Medicinal Plant Specialist Group (MPSG) and WWF Germany recently launched a new standard on the sustainable collection of wild plants (International Standard for Sustainable Collection of Wild Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, ISSC-MAP), which is currently under trial at several projects worldwide including one in Uttarakhand in the Western Himalayas and one in Karnataka in the Western Ghats.

Samir Sinha, Head of TRAFFIC India, commented: “TRAFFIC India is delighted to be at the forefront of helping ensure the sustainability of medicinal plant supplies, which is to the benefit of healthcare within India and beyond, to India’s plant industry and to many rural poor, who depend on the trade for vital household income.”

The report recommends regional, multi-stakeholder action to improve management of harvests and trade in a way that addresses conservation and development concerns.

“These conservation challenges cannot be met by single countries: international co-operation is needed between harvesters, traders, manufacturers, government agencies, non-governmental organizations and researchers to secure a sustainable future for these medicinal plants and the people who depend on them,” said Uwe Schippmann, Head of the Plant Conservation Section of BfN.

Specific recommendations are aimed at securing sustainable sources of medicinal plants through achieving better implementation of regulations, including those linked to CITES, and obtaining better information on the trade, market trends and the status of the species traded, current collection practices and those involved in the harvesting.

“The importance of these long-traded plant species to local livelihoods cannot be over-emphasized,” said Danna J. Leaman, Chair of IUCN’s Medicinal Plant Specialist Group. “But we need the best possible information about the extent of regional and global trade to ensure sustainable supplies can continue to support family incomes long into the future.”

More information
Richard Thomas, Global Communications Co-ordinator, mob: +44 7921 309 176, Richard.thomas@traffic.org  
Samir Sinha, Head, TRAFFIC India, Tel. +91 11 41504786, ssinha@wwfindia.net  

NOTES
1) TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. TRAFFIC is a joint programme of IUCN and WWF.

2) The seven species studied for the report were:
Desert Cistanche Cistanche deserticola, native to China and Mongolia, its dried stems have been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of conditions including kidney problems, constipation, impotence, and infertility.

Elephant’s Foot Dioscorea deltoidea, native to Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Lao PDR, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand and Viet Nam, the dried rhizomes are used both as traditional medicine in higher elevation regions of Nepal, Bhutan, northern India and Pakistan and southwestern China to treat a variety of mainly gastric problems, and as a source of steroidal drugs for western medicine.

Jatamansi Nardostachys grandiflora, native to China, Bhutan, India and Nepal, the roots and rhizomes have been used for centuries in India in the treatment of fits and heart palpitations, to treat constipation and regulate urination, menstruation and digestion.

Kutki Picrorhiza kurrooa, native to India and Pakistan, whose rhizomes are widely used in Ayurvedic and Unani traditional medicines in India as an antibiotic and to treat liver ailments.

Red Sanders Pterocarpus santalinus, native to India, its heartwood is used in the treatment of diabetes and to reduce inflammation, and the timber is used to make furniture and as a source of red dye.

Snakeroot Rauvolfia serpentina, native to Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Indonesia, India, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam, the roots have been used for centuries in India in the treatment of various central nervous disorders, including anxiety states, maniacal behaviour associated with psychosis, schizophrenia, insanity, insomnia, and epilepsy. Extracts are also used for the treatment of intestinal disorders and as an anthelmintic.

Himalayan Yew Taxus wallichiana, native to Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and Viet Nam, the bark and leaves are used in India in Unani medicine as a sedative, an aphrodisiac, and for the treatment of respiratory diseases and snake bites and scorpion stings, whilst in Ayurvedic medicine it is used in the treatment of headache, diarrhoea and other ailments. In recent years, it has been used as a source of taxanes, which have found worldwide use in the treatment of certain cancers.

3) An award-winning film on the newly developed International Standard for Sustainable Collection of Wild Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (ISSC-MAP) can be viewed at: http://www.traffic.org/home/2008/5/19/therapy-for-medicinal-plants.html  

The film was awarded the Slovak Republic’s Ministry of Health prize at the 35th International Festival of Sustainable Development Films earlier this month.

4) More information on the implementation of ISSC-MAP in India can be found at: http://www.traffic.org/home/2008/2/28/sustainable-use-of-wild-plants-project-launched-in-india.html 
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26 Aug 2008
“Don’t Buy Trouble” Warns Traffic India’s New Film on Illegal Wildlife Trade
New Delhi – TRAFFIC India today released “Don’t Buy Trouble”, a new film, advising consumers/tourists against buying illegal wildlife products. The five minute film captures glimpses of the burgeoning illegal wildlife trade in India that threatens our precious flora and fauna, and is the latest addition to TRAFFIC India’s consumer awareness “Buyers Beware” campaign. It is anticipated that the film will be shown in airports and other locations where tourists gather. The film was shot by renowned wildlife filmmaker Himanshu Malhotra and has been produced with support from WWF-India.

India is home to many charismatic species of wildlife and is rich in biodiversity. It is also one of the few nations to have elaborate wildlife protection laws. However, the recent spate of illegal wildlife trade, mainly fuelled by demand in other countries, has taken a heavy toll on India’s wildlife. TRAFFIC India’s ground-breaking Don’t Buy Trouble film highlights aspects of this trade with images of poaching and trade in charismatic flagship species such as Tiger, Leopard, rhino and elephant as well as lesser-known species such as mongoose, reptiles, marine turtles, birds, primates, butterflies and other insects, musk deer and medicinal plants.

Besides highlighting the gruesome reality for many species in illegal trade, the film also draws attention to the various national and international laws that protect them and informs viewers about the legal consequences of engaging in such trade.

Targeted mainly at domestic and foreign tourists, the film sends out a clear message that it is not only the poachers and traders who fuel the illegal wildlife trade, but also those who purchase and use such products. “The end consumer is as much as a partner in wildlife crime as the trader or the poacher,” said Samir Sinha, Head of TRAFFIC India If found guilty, offenders are liable to hefty fines and up to seven years of imprisonment. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse.

Sinha added: “In recent years, illegal wildlife trade has become an international, organised criminal activity that can only be curbed through action at the grassroot-level as well as international co-operation and collaboration at the highest levels.

“Equally important is the need to sensitise potential buyers about the dangers of buying illegal wildlife goods, and this film, part of TRAFFIC India’s awareness campaign aims to make buyers beware they could be buying trouble.”

In October 2007, TRAFFIC India launched a Consumer Awareness Campaign with the release of the leaflet, “Are you committing a Crime? Think before you buy”, followed by a release of four posters in February 2008 on shahtoosh shawls, reptile skins, marine products and ivory. These can be downloaded at www.traffic.org or www.wwfindia.org/traffic


ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Dilpreet B. Chhabra at 011- 41504786/ (0) 9899000472

Notes
1. Illegal wildlife trade is widespread globally, and is probably only third in value behind the illegal narcotics and arms trade. The most commonly known products in illegal wildlife trade in India are: Tiger and Leopard claws, bones, skins, whiskers, elephant tusks, rhino horn, mongoose hair, snakeskin, deer antlers, turtle shells, musk pods, bear bile, medicinal plants, timber and caged birds such as parakeets, mynas and munias.

2. TRAFFIC is the world’s largest wildlife trade monitoring network and a joint programme of WWF, the conservation organization and IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In India, TRAFFIC carries out research and provides analysis, support and encouragement to efforts aimed at ensuring that wildlife trade is not a threat to the conservation of nature in India.
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12 Aug 2008
Reaching out to Young people on Climate Change
New Delhi, August 12, 2008: As the world celebrates International Youth Day, WWF-India reinforces its commitment to the cause of Climate Change – this years' theme of the Day – and youth by reaching out through several programmes and activities that were organized across the country.

International Youth Day is a political day designated by the United Nations. As with other political awareness days, the purpose of the day is to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding an endangered demographic. It was designated by the United Nations in 1999. It is meant as an opportunity for governments and others to draw attention to youth issues worldwide. Concerts, workshops, cultural events, and meetings involving national and local government officials and youth organizations take place around the world in honor of International Youth Day

Mr. Ravi Singh, Secretary General and CEO, WWF-India, said, "Climate issues have assumed centrestage of discussions and negotiations globally and its impacts are proven and visible." He added, "It is important for young people to come forward and contribute more in terms of spreading awareness on climate issues."

Some of the youth-centric activities that WWF-India is a part of are profiled below:

Celebrations at WWF-India Secretariat
A special film screening and interactive session for college students was organized with Climate experts from WWF-India. Students from leading colleges of Delhi University took part in the proceedings and pledged to become "Climate Ambassadors".

Young Climate Savers
WWF in partnership with Tetra Pak launched a student orientation programme called the Young Climate Savers last year. The mandate of these workshops is to sensitize hundreds and thousands of school and college students on Climate Change. The programme aims at covering 200 schools from across ten cities in India and the schools were selected based on their high resource consumption levels at the school, student and parent level. The ten cities include Dehra Dun, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. Students' workshops have been organized in all these schools followed by an interschool competition and field visits.

The Young Climate Savers project identified key teachers in selected schools and carried out capacity building programmes for them on technology based environmental education and education for sustainable development with specific focus on climate change. The teachers were provided with an exhaustive Resource Material titled, 'Teachers' Manual on Climate Change. The manual provides a detailed understanding on the history, science and impacts of climate change. The last few chapters also discuss the various adaptation response and mitigation measures that are being taken up and also has hands on activities that children can take up to understand the issue of climate change better. Care was taken to integrate the project as a process in the main curriculum so as to become an ongoing activity even after the completion of the project period.

International Polar Year
Through yet another outreach activity - the International Polar Year - WWF-India has reached out to more than 1200 schools on the issue of Climate Change. This outreach was a part of the International Polar Year celebrations that were organized with Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Through teachers the project aimed to target students in major cities of India to create technology based knowledge and awareness to set right attitudes among them which will lead to suitable actions to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Activities like demonstrations, hands on experiments, small projects, cross learning through networking will make the students participate in the project enthusiastically.

Commonwealth Youth Baton Relay
Another interesting intervention of WWF-India around youth is participation in the Commonwealth Youth Baton Relay that was flagged off from New Delhi on August 1, 2008. WWF-India's Signature Campaign - Roar of the Tiger - is an integral part of this relay which will cover 199 town and cities in its 73-day journey to Pune where the Commonwealth Youth Games will start in mid-October.

For more information, please contact:
Anshuman Atroley, Communications Manager, WWF-India
Tel: +91-98101 69262, E-mail: aatroley@gmail.com
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New or updated projects

Modified: Nov 2008 - Started: Jan 1998

Securing the Future of Medicinal Plant Resources

This project seeks to address the problem of dwindling medicinal plant resources and the consequent effects on both health care systems and wild popul... » Read more Modified: Nov 2008 - Started: Jan 2008

Less Water More Rice

This project will progress the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in India. It builds on the 3-year work of the Dialogue in Water, Food and Environm... » Read more Modified: Apr 2008 - Started: Jul 1999

Asian Rhino and Elephant Action Strategy (AREAS)

WWF initiated the development of an Asian Rhino and Elephant Action Strategy (AREAS), following priorities defined in the WWF Asia/Pacific Regional St... » Read more