0104-B3

ROLE OF T.T. DEVASTHANAMS IN CONSERVATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS

Krishnaiah .P ¹ Venkatramaiah .V ² Subrahmanyam. P

ABSTRACT

Forests constitute a rich repository of medicinal plants that are used by various indigenous health care systems and form an important source of income to many forest dwelling communities. However, because of indiscriminate use of the resources over time and fragmentation of habitats, many of these species are increasingly threatened and face the risk of becoming genetically impoverished. It is estimated that about 70-80 out of 300 species are either severely endangered or threatened (Pers. Commun., FRLHT). It is imperative that viable strategies to conserve the surviving populations and their genetic resources of at least the critically important species are formulated to arrest further loss. For an effective in situ conservation, it is important to identify the hotspots of genetic diversity.

The strategy should, among others, focus on...

• Conservation of medicinal plants existing in the forest for future generations.
• Collecting of seeds for future propagation in other areas suitable for medicinal plants.
• Development of scion material for vegetative propagation.
• Introduction of valuable medicinal plants from out side into the conservation area.

INTRODUCTION

Forests constitute a rich repository of medicinal plants that are used by various indigenous health care systems and form an important source of income to many forest dwelling communities. However, because of indiscriminate use of the resources over time and fragmentation of habitats, many of these species are increasingly threatened and face the risk of becoming genetically impoverished. It is estimated that about 70-80 out of 300 species are either severely endangered or threatened (Pers. Commun., FRLHT). It is imperative that viable strategies to conserve the surviving populations and their genetic resources of at least the critically important species are formulated to arrest further loss. For an effective in situ conservation, it is important to identify the hotspots of genetic diversity.

The strategy should, among others, focus on...

• Conservation of medicinal plants existing in the forest for future generations.
• Collecting of seeds for future propagation in other areas suitable for medicinal plants.
• Development of scion material for vegetative propagation.
• Introduction of valuable medicinal plants from out side into the conservation area.

1. PROTECTION

T.T.Devasthanams is playing an important role in conservation of medicinal plants in Tirumala Hills. This institution is protecting their natural habitat of the rare plants from biotic interference and forest fire. As forest fires are the major cause for destruction of medicinal plants population, T.T.Devasthanam's forest wing has taken up massive fire control measures such as establishment of fire lines, under bio-aesthetic scheme since 1 980s. The fire control and monitoring is further intensified under Haritha project (1999 - 2002) Scheme by introducing fire control barriers and fire fighting squads.

2. MEDICINAL PLANTS CONSERVATION AREA (MPCA)

T.T.Devasthanams in Co-ordination with FRLHT (Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions) during 2000, an area of 200 ha was identified in Tirumala Forest as Medicinal Plants Conservation Area (MPCA), which constitutes a rich diversity of medicinal plants. This area is being preserved as gene bank for future generation and for conservation of endangered and threatened species. This is located in Markandeya Vanam of Narayanagiri Hill areas at an altitude of 1025 Mts., on the longitude of 79° 19' 858", and latitude 130 40' 792". The main features of the area reserved for selection as MPCA are:

1. The area is away from Biotic interference and having virgin forest which requires protection and conservation.
2. The area is a rich repository of medicinal plants. 76 species have been identified as valuable medicinal plants and being used in local health traditions on the basis of Kirthikar et al., 1989. A list of these medicinal plants and their uses including administration included in annexure-I.
3. Among the 76 species identified 4 species are endemic to this region (K. Narayana Rao et a!., 1994 & 1990) namely 1. Cycas beddomei, 2. Pimpinella tirupathensis, 3. Syzygium altern and 4. Terminalia pallida.
4. Six Species namely Capparis zeylanica, Cariota urens, Erythroxylum mono gynum, Indigofera tinctoria, Operculina turpetum and vernonia anthelmintica have already acquired the status of rare species.

To make people realise the value of medicinal plants a prominent display is made and guided. Visits are allowed into the conservation area.

3. CULTIVATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS

T.T.Devasthanams forest wing has been cultivating medicinal plants at Sri Srinivasa Ayurveda Pharmacy, at Narasinga Puram near Tirupati. The species taken up for cultivation are as per the requirement given by the Ayurvedic Pharmacy which preparing Ayurvedic drugs for free distribution. The species selected for cultivation are Plumbago zeylanica, Abutilan indicum, Ocimum sanctum, Withania somn Phyllanthus niruri, Andrographis paniculata, Vitex nigundo, Gymnema sylvestre, Psoralia carel Cassia senna, Adhatoda vasica etc (SMPG Brochure, 1998). About 10 quintals of plant material of Aswagandha, Podapatri (Gymnema), Vitex, Centella etc is being produced by the pharmacy for its internal consumption thus avoiding the drain on the natural reserves.

4. TRAINING FOR HARVESTING FROM NATURAL FORESTS

Whenever the Sri Srinivasa Ayurveda Pharmacy requires raw materials, which are not under cultivation, TTD forest wing collects the material from natural forests. TTD forest wing trained some of the Mazdoors for collection and extraction of raw materials from natural forests without disturbing its habitat and growth. Generally during collection of fruits, barks, leaves and roots untrained forest dwellers adopt destructive methods of harvesting. For example for collection of amla fruits branches are cut off from the tree, for collection of barks cambium portion is disturbed which may lead to death of the tree. TTD Forest personnel follow nondestructive methods for collection of raw material, which helps in optimum utilization of these natural resources for ayurvedic preparations.

5. HERBAL GARDEN

T.T.Devasthanams forest wing has established a herbal garden at Sri Srinivasa Ayurvedic Phannacy with 150 species for education and conservation purpose. The Botanical names with their respective family names and medicinal uses of different parts are displayed for all the species. This herbal garden also helps in studying the silvicultural characters of important medicinal plants.

6. STUDY TOURS

The T.T.Devasthanams is conducting study tours to the staff of Ayurvedic Pharmacy and Ayurvedic College and forest officials of T.T.D forest to Kerala State where the system of ayurvedic medicine is well established to study the technology of Ayurvedic treatment in the lap of nature and on medicinal plants. As a part of this, the Team visited Ayurveda hospitals, colleges, ethno botanical gardens in Ernakulam and Kottegal.

7. EXTENSION

T.T.Devasthanams has also taken up Extension through publishing books and brochures on medicinal plants, their uses and administration for different ailments. Video & audiocassettes are also prepared to popularize Ayurveda among masses.

The publications on medicinal plants are:

1. Medicinal plants of Tirumala hills (English)
2. Pavitra vrikshalu (Telugu)
3. Griha vaidyam (Telugu and English)
4. Medicinal Plants of SVIMS (Telugu and English)
5. Aoushadha mokkala sagu - Savakasalu (Telugu)
6. Brochure on medicinal plant garden at Sri Srinivasa Ayurveda Pharmacy.

References

Brochure on" Srinivasa Medicinal Plants Garden", TTD publication.

Kirthikar and Basu, 1989. Indian Medicinal Plants.

Narayana Rao K, Thammanna, 1990. Medicinal plants of Tirumala, TTD publication.

Narayana Rao K, Thammanna, Madhava Chetty K., 1994. Angiospemic Wealth of Tirumala, TTD publication.

Periodicals communicated by Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions.

¹ Executive Officer, TTD, Tirupati
² Conservator of Forests, TTD, Tirupati Divisional Forest Officer, TTD, Tirumala