Syllabus: GS-III & V: Biodiversity and Traditional Knowledge

Why in the News?

The Government of India, in collaboration with the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) and the North Eastern Council (NEC), has recently announced a focused initiative to develop the cultivation and value chain of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) across the eight northeastern states.

This comes as the global herbal medicine market, valued at over USD 120 billion, continues to grow at 6–8% annually, driven by rising demand for natural and plant-based wellness products. 

The Northeast — a biodiversity hotspot with over 8,000 plant species, including 1,500 medicinally important varieties — is being positioned as India’s herbal and essential oil hub, linking traditional knowledge with modern enterprise.

The Biodiversity Wealth of Northeast India

The Northeast region, comprising Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim, lies at the confluence of the Eastern Himalayas and Indo-Burma biodiversity zones.

It is one of the richest phytomedicinal repositories in Asia, hosting a wide spectrum of medicinal and aromatic plants such as:

Category	Species	Key Uses
High-value Medicinals	Coptis teeta (Mishmi teeta), Aconitum ferox, Rauvolfia serpentina	Antibacterial, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory
Common Herbs	Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Centella asiatica (Brahmi), Phyllanthus emblica (Amla), Aloe vera	Ayurvedic and nutraceutical preparations
Aromatic Plants	Cymbopogon flexuosus (Lemongrass), Cymbopogon winterianus (Citronella), Mentha arvensis (Mint)	Essential oils, cosmetics, perfumery
Endemics	Zanthoxylum armatum (Tejphal), Picrorhiza kurroa, Cordyceps sinensis	Anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory properties

The diversity of agro-climatic zones — from tropical plains in Assam and Tripura to alpine altitudes in Sikkim and Arunachal — enables cultivation of both tropical crops like ginger and turmeric and high-altitude species like aconitum and cordyceps.

Global and National Context

• Global herbal market: USD 120 billion (projected to reach USD 200 billion by 2030).
• India’s share: Around 2.5%, with exports worth over ₹7,500 crore (2024) in herbal and plant-based products.
• Domestic demand: Growing due to expansion of Ayush, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries.
  

The Northeast contributes nearly 30% of India’s biodiversity, but only a fraction of its potential is tapped commercially. The region’s low chemical input and organic farming practices also make it ideal for certified organic MAP production.

Economic and Social Significance

• Rural Livelihoods and Women Empowerment: MAP cultivation offers higher returns than paddy or jute.
  • Women play key roles in nursery management, harvesting, and processing.
  • Example: In Assam and Meghalaya, farmers transitioning to citronella and lemongrass have seen income rise by 2–3 times.
• Cultural and Traditional Value: Indigenous healers (such as Mishmi and Nyishi tribes in Arunachal) possess centuries-old knowledge that can guide sustainable utilization.
• Export and Branding Potential: Oils from Assam lemongrass and citronella have distinct aroma profiles and are already exported to Europe and East Asia.
  • GI-tagged products like “Assam Lemongrass Oil” can add market value.
    

Challenges

Despite vast potential, several barriers hinder large-scale development:

• Overdependence on Wild Harvesting: 70% of MAPs are still collected from forests, leading to depletion and habitat loss.
• Post-Harvest and Storage Gaps: Poor drying, grading, and oil extraction techniques lead to quality degradation.
• Lack of Market Linkages: Farmers depend on middlemen; no organised value chain or price assurance.
• Regulatory Overlaps: Permits for forest produce and absence of coordination between forest, agriculture, and Ayush departments.
• Limited R&D and Quality Assurance: Few improved varieties or region-specific cultivation packages.
  

Institutional and Policy Interventions

• National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB): Offers 30–75% subsidy for cultivation, nurseries, and processing units.
• North Eastern Council (NEC): Funding integrated aromatic plant cultivation projects across Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland.
• CSIR–NEIST, Jorhat: Developed high-oil yielding lemongrass and citronella varieties; provides technical training.
• ICAR and KVKs: Conduct field demonstrations, promote intercropping models with MAPs.
• State Missions: Assam Aromatic and Medicinal Plant Mission, Sikkim Organic Mission, and Nagaland Bio-Resources Mission promote region-specific MAP cultivation.

 Way Forward

• Promote Organised Cultivation: Shift from wild collection to cluster-based MAP farming under contract farming models with assured buyback.
• Invest in Value Addition Infrastructure: Establish small distillation units, drying yards, and common processing facilities under FPOs and cooperatives.
• Enhance Market Access: Create MAP export clusters linked with APEDA and Ayush Export Promotion Council.
• Integrate Traditional Knowledge: Support community documentation of indigenous medicinal systems and IPR protection through GI and TKDL (Traditional Knowledge Digital Library).
• Sustainability and Conservation: Promote in-situ conservation zones, seed banks, and tissue culture propagation to protect endangered species.
• Research–Industry Collaboration: Encourage partnerships between universities, pharmaceutical companies, and tribal healers for new formulations and phytochemical discoveries.
  

Local Fruits and Medicinal Plants of Assam

Local Name	Scientific Name	Part Used	Medicinal Properties / Uses
Amlakhi (Indian Gooseberry)	Phyllanthus emblica	Fruit	Rich in Vitamin C; boosts immunity; used for cough, cold, and skin ailments; key ingredient in Triphala.
Bohot (Cluster Fig)	Ficus racemosa	Bark, Leaves, Fruit	Treats diabetes, diarrhoea, and skin infections; known for anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Outenga (Elephant Apple)	Dillenia indica	Fruit	Used to treat stomach disorders, fever, and joint pain; improves digestion; rich in Vitamin C.
Thekera (Mangosteen / Garcinia)	Garcinia pedunculata	Dried Fruit	Acts against acidity, liver ailments, and inflammation; has antioxidant and anti-obesity effects.
Bhat Guti (Black Nightshade)	Solanum nigrum	Leaves, Fruit	Helps with liver protection, ulcers, urinary infections; young leaves eaten as vegetable.
Narikol (Coconut)	Cocos nucifera	Water, Oil	Natural electrolyte; antibacterial and hydrating; used in skincare and wound healing.
Kordoi (Star Fruit)	Averrhoa carambola	Fruit	Controls hypertension and fever; aids digestion; cooling and refreshing fruit.
Tenga Mora (Yellow Himalayan Raspberry)	Rubus ellipticus	Fruit, Leaves	Antimicrobial and antioxidant; used for digestive problems and wound dressing.
Neem	Azadirachta indica	Leaves, Bark, Oil	Treats skin diseases, malaria, and oral infections; natural antiseptic.
Tulsi (Holy Basil)	Ocimum sanctum	Leaves	Boosts immunity; relieves cough, cold, and respiratory infections; adaptogenic herb.

Note

Assam’s unique agro-climatic diversity—from tropical valleys to hill forests—supports an abundance of ethnomedicinal species that serve as the backbone of traditional Assamese healthcare. Promoting cultivation and documentation of these local plants can help in biodiversity conservation, AYUSH integration, and rural livelihood enhancement.

Conclusion

The Northeast’s medicinal and aromatic plant wealth represents a fusion of biodiversity, tradition, and enterprise. Harnessing this potential through scientific cultivation, fair market systems, and sustainable practices can transform the region into a green economic powerhouse.

If nurtured wisely, this sector can serve dual goals — economic development for local communities and global leadership for India in natural wellness and herbal exports. The path forward lies in balancing conservation with commercialization, ensuring that the forests of the Northeast remain not only green but gainful.

Mains Question

1. “The cultivation and value addition of medicinal and aromatic plants can become the cornerstone of a green economy in Northeast India.”
   Discuss the economic, environmental, and policy dimensions of promoting MAPs in the region.

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