R. B. S. Rawat , G. P. Garg

Abstract

About 5,000 plant species have been documented for medicinal value and phyto-chemically studied. Of these, 1,100 are used in different systems of medicine, 600-700 are used in indigenous industries, but only about 150 have been commercially exploited. Besides domestic use, export potential of these plants is huge and given a quality upgadation of such drugs, competitiveness and globalization is ensured. There is, however need for doing scientific work on their pharmacology, phytochemisty and clinical experiments to develop the export potential fully. Important plant species being utilized at present, their world prices, and other potential species have been listed. Shift towards use of herbal drugs worldwide has been noted. There is good scope in developing this sector. Trade and commerce requirements relating to export and marketing in various foreign marketing ego Canada, Hungary, France, UK, USA have been discussed with a view to developing trade in these countries in medicinal products. Various measures, which handicap expansion, have been pointed out. These are: agricultural practices like harvesting and propagation, processing high yield varieties, quality control, marketing, training of personnel, equipment and knowledge about latest advances in technology etc. where efforts need to be focussed.

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R. B. S. Rawat

Abstract

With a view to promote conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants from shrinking wild sources, a National Medicinal Plants Board has been established with similar Boards at State and regional levels. This Board has identified several plants, which will be taken up for development in the first instance and financed for various purposes, under promotional and commercial schemes. The functions of the Board, its setup, project proposals under these schemes, funding thereof, etc. have been outlined. Projects so far sanctioned, the States where these are located and authorities responsible for promoting the projects in various States have also been indicated, along with a chart showing their Statewise allocation.

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R. B. S. Rawat , Jagmohan Sharma

Abstract

Ecotourism holds a great potential for conservation of fragile mountain ecology in the Himalayan State of Uttaranchal and can provide a fresh paradigm for development to the local communities. The scenic landscape, snow clad peaks and high altitude lakes, endemic flora and fauna, unique customs and practices, mythology and history and hospitable local communities, fetch Uttaranchal a hitherto untapped opportunity. Informed involvement of stakeholders is necessary to ensure wide-base sustainable ecotourism. Stakeholder participation can substantially augment the infrastructure for ecotourism, sharing the burden of the government. Creation of stakeholders, equipping them with the required skills, networking them, supporting the initiatives taken by them and emphasizing the conservation and development linkages, are important issues in developing stakeholder based ecotourism in Uttaranchal.

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