Hyderabad: The Telangana forest department plans a scientific programme for conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants at the Ananthagiri forest.
According to the findings of the rapid assessment survey, the Ananthagiri forest represents patches of typical southern dry deciduous type forest. This area was selected for conservation of medicinal plants by the National Medicinal Plants Board in for three years from 2002-05.
P. Srilakshmi, district forest officer, Anantagiri, said, “Most of the medicinal plants exist in the wild. Due to the increasing demands for medicinal plants, their survival in the natural habitats is under threat.”
“To assess the medicinal plants, a team comprising taxovnomist, local health practitioners, researchers, and forest department officials will be set up. The team should work in a time-bound manner. The ent-ire area shall be closed from external stressors like grazing and fire,” Ms Srilaxmi added.
A majority of the rural population in the area depends on traditional medicines. The Ayurveda is one of the prominent systems followed by the homoeopathy, unani and the siddha.
