In a recent development, three medicinal plant species namely Meizotropis pellita, Fritillaria cirrhosa, and Dactylorhiza hatagirea found in the Himalayas have been included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The addition was made after a thorough assessment of these species in the Himalayan region, revealing that deforestation, habitat loss, forest fires, illegal trade, and climate change are posing serious threats to their existence. The newly gathered data is expected to bolster conservation efforts being made in the region.
Understanding the Key Highlights of these Species
Meizotropis Pellita
Endemic to Uttarakhand, Meizotropis Pellita or commonly known as Patwa is a perennial shrub with a limited distribution area. The IUCN has listed this species as ‘critically endangered’, given its confined area of occupancy under 10 square kilometers. The main threats menacing the species include deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and forest fires. From a medical perspective, the essential oil extracted from the leaves of this species are potent antioxidants. Therefore, they hold potential as natural alternatives to synthetic ones used in the pharmaceutical field.
Fritillaria Cirrhosa
The Himalayan fritillary, or Fritillaria Cirrhosa, is a perennial bulbous herb. Given its decreasing rate, long generation length, poor germination potential, high trade value, extensive harvesting pressure, and issues with illegal trade, it has been marked as ‘vulnerable’ in the IUCN list. In terms of medicinal significance, this plant is used in China for treating bronchial disorders and pneumonia. Moreover, it serves as a robust cough suppressant and a source of expectorant drugs in traditional Chinese medicine.
Dactylorhiza Hatagirea
Another significant species enlisted in the IUCN Red List is the Dactylorhiza hatagirea or Salampanja. As a perennial tuberous species, it is endemic to the Hindu Kush and Himalayan ranges of several Asian countries including Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Due to habitat loss, livestock grazing, deforestation, and climate change, this species has been categorized as ‘endangered’ by the IUCN. Its medicinal significance lies in its extensive usage in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and other alternative medicinal systems to treat conditions like dysentery, gastritis, chronic fever, cough and stomach aches.
Involvement in the UPSC Civil Services Examination
The information about these species and their related conservation efforts has even permeated into the UPSC Civil Services Examination. In the 2015 examination, a question was asked with reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The correct answer turned out to be ‘2 and 3 only’, implying that the IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to manage natural environments better, and CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but does not replace national laws.
