Conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants : a case study on five commercially important wild species in Nepal

Globally, medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are considered as valuable sources for producing drugs. However, wild populations are vanishing at a high speed due to destructive harvesting and habitat destruction. The study focuses on conservation and sustainable use of such plants in Nepal, focusing on five commercially important wild or semi-wild species: Ophio-cordyceps sinensis, Nardostachys grandiflora, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Rauvolfia serpentina, and Cinnamomum tamala. The objectives were twofold. Firstly, to map the status and challenges in the conservation and use of the targeted plants in concerned districts. Secondly, to highlight the importance of conserving indigenous knowledge on the plants and their habitats. Despite the presence of various sets of recommendation and strategies for conservation and sustainable use, governmental and non-governmental organizations have failed to make a significant impact on the topic. Wild medicinal plants are still threatened in Nepal, although there are various conservation actions, i.e. botanic gardens and natural reserves. Conservation of traditional knowledge through documentation and oral transfer from one generation to the next is important. In this way, people can actively take part in the conservation of the plants. Questionnaires, group discussions and interviews were conducted in three regions of Nepal and included 80 stakeholders and 10 experts involved in conservation, harvesting, cultivation and trade of MAPs. In addition, a review of databases, reports and scientific papers was included. The results emphasized that conservation strategies like (i.e. In-situ, Ex-situ and cultivation practices) and resource management approaches (i.e. GACP and sustainable use method) should be applied for the conservation and sustainable use of the targeted medicinal plants. A biotechnical approach like In-vitro technique can play an important role by complementing conservation actions but also by helping commercial cultivation by providing mass disease free planting material. Such biotechnical approach can be used to more species and could be especially valuable in a country like Nepal, which is poor and generates considerable amount of income through MAPs trade. Moreover, advantage of diverse climatic condition and profound diversity in the MAPs can help the country and the MAPs stakeholders to generate economic profit through commercialization of the plants