Conservation of medicinal and aromatic plants in India: Current status and future prospects

Abstract

Biodiversity encompasses all the organisms, species, populations, genetic variation and assemblages of communities and ecosystems among these organisms. The variety and variations in biodiversity occurring in nature, has sustained the harmonious existence of life on earth wherein Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) are being used in traditional and modern medicine worldwide. India poses a rich diversity of MAPs but the climate change is a real threat to this rich diversity. Also, the indiscriminate use of medicinal plants from wild, to cater the growing demand is leading to the loss of MAPs diversity. Therefore, an integrated approach towards conservation of the rich MAPs diversity should be followed globally which includes in situ and ex situ conservation strategies along with sustainable utilization of the biodiversity.