Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Effects in European countries
208
Effects in African countries
209
Effects in India
209
9.7 Conclusion
210
Bibliography
211
Abstract
The United Nations declared 2010 as the Year of Biodiver-
sity to encourage nations to conserve their plant and animal
species. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
was signed more than a decade ago, but species continue
to disappear worldwide at a rapid rate. Local communities
who have used medicinal plants for generations say that
these species are becoming hard to find. They say climate
change is a factor. The CBD embedded three main goals
into the national biodiversity strategies of all countries who
signed it. These were sustainable use and the fair and equi-
table sharing of benefits of genetic resources. In respect of
wild Indian medicinal plants, Article 8 of the CBD relates
to
in situ
conservation. In particular clause 8(j) and 8(d) are
very relevant to medicinal plants. However, as far as imple-
mentation is concerned much remains to be done.
9.1
Introduction
As a direct consequence of CBD, the Biological Diversity Act was
enacted in 2002. A National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
(NBSAP) was prepared and subsequently a National Biodiversity
Authority (NBA) was constituted. However, one is not aware of
any significant initiative under this Act by NBA as far as the con-
servation and sustainable use of medicinal plants is concerned or,
more importantly, as far as the preservation of traditional knowl-
edge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local commu-
nities or their wider application is concerned. There appears to be
some restrictions with regard to regulatory functions.
9.2
Is there a big loss of medicinal plant
species in India?
An institutional mechanism needs to be put in place to system-
atically assess and enlist the decline and loss of medicinal plant
species and to monitor and assess threats to wild populations
