Medicinal Plants Conservation Strategies for Primary-Healthcare and Livelihood at Local Level: An Examination of Initiatives in South Asia

Abstract

This chapter examines initiatives to conserve medicinal plants in Bangladesh and India. These initiatives formed part of development interventions seeking to improve livelihoods and primary healthcare services in poor rural communities. The intervention projects studied were carried out in two districts of Bangladesh and one in Odisha state, India. Case study and participatory field methods were adopted to gather data and information on the medicinal plants conservation components of those projects. The study found that the initiatives, which combine both healthcare and livelihood objectives, have been successful not only in conserving medicinal plant resources, but also promoting their status and use. As a result, threats to medicinal plant stocks are being redressed, better livelihoods are being created, and primary healthcare situations are being enhanced. This study also revealed that the most successful strategies for conserving medicinal plant species comprised of a mix of ex-situ, in-situ, and production system approaches.

Prioritizing Conservation of Medicinal Flora in the Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot: An Integrated Ecological and Socioeconomic Approach

“…Of the various components of biodiversity that contribute significantly to the provision of ecosystem goods and services, the conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants is receiving increased attention due to these plants’ crucial roles in global healthcare, particularly in the developing world (Shahidullah & Haque 2015, Chen et al 2016). Of the total number of medicinal plant species used globally, 21% fall under the Endangered category of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN; Schippmann et al 2006, Chen et al 2016).…”