Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Every year on March 3, the world observes World Wildlife Day, proclaimed by the United Nations to celebrate wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness about their importance to people and the planet.
The day marks the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), reinforcing global commitment to ensuring that trade in wildlife does not threaten species survival. The day underscores that wildlife is not merely part of nature’s beauty, but a critical pillar of food security, healthcare, livelihoods, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
At a time when biodiversity faces mounting pressure from habitat destruction, overexploitation, illegal trade, and climate change, World Wildlife Day serves as a global call to conserve and sustainably use biological resources for present and future generations.
Medicinal plants
The theme for World Wildlife Day 2026 – ‘Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods’ – highlighted the importance of plants used for medicine, their role in preserving cultural traditions, and the income they provide to local communities.
For India, the theme carries particular significance. The country is one of the 17 mega biodiversity-rich countries in the world and has 7 per cent of the world’s bio-diversity. It has 15 agro-climatic regions, 45,000 different plant species out of which 15,000 are medicinal plants. Of these, about 8,000 species are used in Indian systems of medicine and folk medicines.
The country has been taking strong steps to protect this rich heritage. The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) runs a dedicated scheme for the conservation and sustainable management of medicinal plants. It supports Conservation, IEC activities, farmer training, R&D and marketing.
Conservation approach
India has adopted a strong and multi-layered approach to conserve its rich medicinal and aromatic plant heritage.
In-situ conservation: It means protecting plants and animals in their natural habitats. It is carried out through national parks, biosphere reserves and gene sanctuaries.
Ex-situ conservation: It means protecting plant genetic resources outside their natural habitats under controlled conditions to ensure long-term preservation and possible reintroduction into the wild. In India, this includes the conservation of 9,361 medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) accessions at the National Seed Gene Bank, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, in New Delhi.
The Government has launched several key schemes and initiatives to promote the conservation, cultivation, and sustainable use of medicinal plants across the country.
Key Govt schemes
National Ayush Mission: In the past Ministry of Ayush had implemented Medicinal Plant Component under the National Ayush Mission (NAM) a flagship scheme of the Ministry of AYUSH through states and UTs to promote the cultivation of medicinal plants integrated with farming systems to support crop diversification and enhance farmer incomes from the financial year 2015-16 to 2020-21.
Currently, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare under its Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture – a Centrally-sponsored scheme is promoting the holistic growth of the horticulture sector including medicinal plants. All States and UTs are covered under MIDH.
Aushadhi Vanaspati Mitra Programme: The Ministry of Ayush recognises and rewards individuals, communities, and institutions for their outstanding contribution to medicinal plant conservation, cultivation, and marketing.
Central Sector Scheme for Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants: The Government of India runs this flagship scheme with an outlay of Rs 322.41 crore for 2021-22 to 2025-26. Under this scheme, Medicinal Plants Conservation and Development Areas (MPCDAs) are set up to protect plants in their natural habitats.
India has adopted a strong and multi-layered approach to conserve its rich medicinal and aromatic plant heritage
e-CHARAK: It’s a platform to enable information exchange between various stakeholders mainly farmers involved in the medicinal plants sector across the country.
Building awareness
Herbal Gardens and Awareness Programmes: Herbal gardens are promoted in schools, institutions, and public spaces to build awareness among students and the general public.
Livelihood Support to Local Communities: The scheme provides financial and infrastructural support to Joint Forest Management Committees, Self Help Groups, Van Panchayats.
Bilateral and International Cooperation: The NMPB actively collaborates with international organisations to promote the medicinal plant sector globally.
Protecting through GI tags: Navara Rice (Oryza sativa L.), grown mainly in Palakkad and nearby districts of Kerala; Green Cardamom has two GI varieties – Alleppey from Kerala and Coorg from Karnataka; Ganjam Kewda Flower is GI tagged for Odisha; Saffron is GI tagged for Jammu and Kashmir; and Nagauri Ashwagandha is GI tag registered under NMPB-supported project.
India’s journey in protecting its medicinal and aromatic plant heritage is a story of deep roots and forward vision. The country is not just preserving its green wealth, it is turning it into a source of health, pride, and prosperity for generations to come.
