Ex-situ and In-situ Conservation of medicinal plants – An Experience
of West Bengal forest Department
MANASA RANJAN BHATTA,IFS
Conservator of Forests, Research Circle
O/O- Principal Chief Conservator of Forests,
Research, Monitoring & Development
Directorate of Forests, New KIT Building
3rd Floor, P-16, India Exchange Place Extn
KOLKATA (WB)-700073
PH- 033-22341855,56
Abstract
The Ex-situ & In-situ conservation of medicinal plants in West Bengal is a great step towards the
conservation of not only medicinal plants but also for a large number of other species. The
creation of Medicinal Plant Conservation Areas (MPCAs) in all the Agro-climatic zones will go a
long way for conservation of Bio-diversity. In normal ongoing research activities like Species
Introduction Trials (SIT), Germplasm Banks, Seedling Seed Orchards (SSOs), Clonal Seed
4.Orchards
Key words,
(CSOs), Clonal Testing Areas (CTAs), Arboretums, Herbal Gardens etc are the other
important steps for both ex-situ & in-situ conservation of species. Involvement of local people &
training to staffs will help in conservation of plants. The management plan prepared &
identification of status of the various species through Rapid Threat Assessment (RTA) will be of
immense help for ex-situ & in-situ conservation . With that experience West Bengal has again
taken steps for seven more new MPCAs with financial assistance of National Medicinal Plants
Board (NMPB), New Delhi, GOI. West Bengal Forest Department has been able to identify &
catagorise the status of its natural resources & taking steps for its conservation through ex-situ &
in-situ conservations.
Keywords:
In-situ conservation- In-situ conservation is on-site conservation or the conservation of
genetic resources in natural populations of plant or animal species, such as forest genetic
resources in natural populations of tree species. It is the process of protecting
an endangered plant or animal species in its natural habitat, either by protecting or cleaning
up the habitat itself, or by defending the species from predators. It is applied to conservation
of agricultural
biodiversity in agro-ecosystems by
farmers,
especially
those
using
unconventional farming practices.
Ex-situ conservation- Ex-situ conservation means literally, "off-site conservation". It is the
process of protecting an endangered species of plant or animal outside its natural habitat; for
example, by removing part of the population from a threatened habitat and placing it in a new
location, which may be a wild area or within the care of humans. While ex-situ conservation
comprises some of the oldest and best known conservation methods, it also involves newer,
sometimes controversial laboratory methods.
Medicinal Plant Conservation Areas (MPCAs)- MPCAs are in situ conservation sites for
medicinal plants that are established in natural forests following a rigorous procedure.
CLONING- Cloning has also been promoted as a potential way to help endangered species
to reproduce. The science of cloning, however, is at a very early stage and many problems
need to be overcome before it becomes a viable solution for more than a few isolated cases in
case of animals. But in case of plants clones are developed based on the quality for large
scale multiplication of required plants for industrial use like Eucalyptus, poplars , Acacia
mangium etc
Introduction:
“There is nothing in the universe which is non-medicinal”[Ashtanga Hridaya,
Sutrasthana,9:10
MEDICINAL PLANTS IN INDIA-There are about 8000 [out of 17,564] spp of plants found in
India. Out of which 4635 sps are being used by the Ethnic Communities, 2000 spp in Unani,
Tibetan ,Siddha etc.,1800 spp in Ayurvedic system, 500 in Homoeopathy, 4700 by the Folk.
West Bengal possesses more than 700 species covering aromatic plants, spices and herbal
vegetables of which about 75 species are known to be commercially operated, either collected
from Nature or cultivated.
There are two major activities which are followed for conservation of Rare & Endangered
species including medicinal plants.
TWO MAJOR ACTIVITIES-
1. Rare & Endangered species[Other than Medicinal Plants] – ex-situ conservation.
2. Medicinal plants – (a) in-situ conservation, (b) ex-situ conservation (as intercropping),
(c) Herbal Gardens (for publicity, awareness, data collection & sale/distribution, (d)
Plantations (trees lines alternated with Shrubs)
Some Other Trials- for ex-situ conservation of other plants followed are
1. Clonal Testing to identify the best clones & establishment of Clonal Seed Orchards
(CSO) & Clonal Testing Areas (CTA).
2. Protection of coastal areas : Introduction of Mangrove species in Digha, West Bengal
for conservation of mangroves (30 km coastal belt, area available 600 ha.)
3. Progeny Trials (Felial generation – F1, F2, F3…)
4. Provenance Trials. (Trial of different zone‟s spp.)
5. Species introduction Trial (SIT) etc for conservation.
One benefit of in-situ conservation is that it maintains recovering populations in the
surrounding where they have developed their distinctive properties. Another is that
this strategy helps ensure the ongoing processes of evolution and adaptation within
their environments. As a last resort, ex-situ conservation may be used on some or all
of the population, when in-situ conservation is too difficult, or impossible.
WHEN IS EX SITU CONSERVATION USED?
i)
Ex situ conservation is usually used as a last resort, when a population has
become so small or so endangered that extinction is considered inevitable without
extreme intervention.
ii)
Sometimes ex situ conservation is the only choice, because a species no longer
exists in the wild.-Ex- Taxus wallichiana & Ginkgo biloba in Darjeeling Himalayas.
Ex situ conservation is the conservation and maintenance of samples of living organisms
outside their natural habitat, in the form of whole plants, seed, pollen, vegetative propagules,
tissue or cell cultures.
Ex situ conservation has several purposes:
Rescue threatened germplasm.
Produce material for conservation biology research.
Bulk up germplasm for storage in various forms of ex situ facility.
Supply material for various purposes to remove or reduce pressure from wild
collecting.
Grow those species with recalcitrant seeds that cannot be maintained in a seed store.
Make available material for conservation education and display.
Produce material for reintroduction, reinforcement, habitat restoration and
management.
BOTANICAL GARDENS, ARBORETUMS, ETC.
i)
Many plants can be kept in captivity too. Botanical gardens and arboretums are
the main type of location, but lots of plants are grown in gardens, in private
collections, etc. We even have some critically endangered species (<100 individuals
in the wild) growing right here on campus in the greenhouses.
ii)
Worldwide about 80,000 plant species are grown in botanical gardens. This is
about 30% of the World‟s plants. Kew Gardens (just outside London) alone has about
25,000 species, about 10% of which are globally threatened.
iii)
Often it is easier to maintain plants away from their natural settings than it is
for animals. This is because they don’t go anywhere, they don’t need much space
(usually), and they often require fairly similar growing conditions (dirt). Most plants
also lack the complex behaviours that many animals have, making it much easier to
keep them alive and breeding.
Showy Indian clover, Trifolium amoenum, is an example of a species that was thought to be
extinct, but was rediscovered in 1993 by Peter Connors in the form of a single plant at a site
in western Sonoma County. Connors harvested seeds and grew specimens of this
critically endangered species in a controlled environment.
The Wollemi Pine is another example of a plant that is being preserved via ex-situ
conservation, as they are being grown in nurseries to be sold to the general public.
Material and Methods.
In west Bengal, the In-situ & Ex-situ conservation of medicinal plants was done
through various schemes & projects. The important projects for the conservation of
medicinal plants were done with assistance from National Medicinal Plants Board
(NMPB), New Delhi. & Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health
Tradition (FRLHT) , Bangalore. The details of which are given below.
1. MEDICINAL PLANTS PROJECT under National Medicinal Plants
Board(NMPB), GOI
Project No.
Period
Fund
140/2002
2003/04 -2005/06
25 Lakh.
1/2005
2004/05-2006/07
20 Lakh.
Objectives:
(a) To identify the medicinal tree species which have over time become rare and
endangered in their natural habitats.
(b) In-situ conservation of these sps through gene pool reserves & base line data.
(c) To establish Propagation Centres and supply QPMs [3 lakh seedlings] to
organizations / individuals.
(d) ex-situ Conservation :
(1) Pilot Plantaions [25 ha.]
(2) Demonstration Centres [Herbal Gardens].
(e) Training, Extension and Documentation for popularization of conservation
activities & for future reference.
Achievements
Physicals:
3 lac seedlings were produced & 25 ha. of plantations were done in different
locations. 6 in-situ conservation plots were laid in various agro-climatic
zones for biodiversity study & to generate baseline data. Ex-situ conservation
plots were also created for flagship species. Production centres were
established for supplying Quality Planting Materials (QPMs). 17.59 ha pilot
plantations with shrubs & herbs as intercrop between tree lines were raised. In
addition to this 6 herbal gardens were also created. Training cum workshop
was organized & one pictoral publication of 300 spp. with nursery data on
each spp was done.
A unique conservation site at Amlachoti / jhargram (midnapore district)
contains about 960 spp. was established. The details of achievement was given
in the tables.
In-situ Conservation Sites : (Gene pool being conserved) Table-1
District
Location
Area(ha)
Darjeeling
Kankibong
5.0
Mal-13 near (Bhutabari)
7.5
10 Mile, Sevok Rd.
6.0
Sursuti (near Lataguri)
5.0
Rajabhatkhawa
5.0
Sutan (near Jhilimili)
12.5
Total
41.0
Jalpaiguri
Bankura
Ex-situ Conservation Site
Medicinal Herbal Gardens as Demonstration Centers. Table-2
District
Location
No. of Species.
Darjeeling
Lloyd Botanic Garden
110
Jalpaiguri
Rajabhatkhawa
60
Mal park
76
th
Adabari, 5 Mile, Sevoke Road
W. Medinipur
60
Sukumar Smriti Udyan
212
Chandrakona (Parimal Kanan)
84
Kolkata
Raj Bhavan
12
24 Pgn. (N)
Flag Staff House, Barrackpore
21
Ex-situ Propagation Centers Table-3
District
Darjeeling
Jalpaiguri
W. Midnapur
E. Midnapur
Bankura
Location
No. of Species.
Sonada
85
Sukna
129
Lava
50
Gorubathan
76
Rajabhatkhawa
32
Lataguri
44
Salugarah
28
Amlachati, Jhargram
875
Bandarbhola
40
Sukumar Smriti Udyan
212
Digha
125
Beliatore
82
2. National Programme on Promoting Conservation of Medicinal Plants
and Traditional Knowledge for Enhancing Health & Livelihood Security, a
UNDP project through FRLHT, Bangalore.- CCF-II Project No. 13047
As a major for conservation of medicinal plants detail study was done through
Rapid Threat Assessment (RTA) in West Bengal . On the basis of that study
Medicinal Plants Conservation Areas (MPCAs) were established with the
funding of Rs 47,50,000 by FRLHT, Bangalore. The various project
components under this project are as follows.
CCF-II Project No. 13047
 Project Component I : Establishment of a system for rapid threat assessment [RTA]
and trade regulation for prioritized conservation action.
 Project Component II : Establishment of a network of Medicinal Plants Conservation
Areas (MPCAs)
 Project Component III : Establishment of Home Herbal Garden (HHGs) and Prepare
Community Knowledge Registers (CKRs), by TAGORE SOCIETY, an NGO)
Concept & Strategy of Medicinal Plant Conservation Areas (MPCAs)
MPCAs are in situ conservation sites for medicinal plants that are established in natural
forests following a rigorous procedure
Broad selection criteria for these sites are: a) Sites with known medicinal plant richness
(literature/ local interaction) b) Less disturbed but easily accessible c) Relatively free from
local rights/ livelihood issues & d) Form compact manageable units
The ConceptThat conservation of biological diversity is best achieved in the quickest , the most efficient,
and the most cost effective way in its natural habitats.
And the MPCAs form one such measure that is specifically designed for in situ conservation
of medicinal plants.
METHODSSince medicinal plants form about 50% of the total flowering plant diversity and occur in all
types of habitats, the number of MPCAs needs to be such as to cover -
all the various forest/ vegetation types along with their intra-type variations
-
all the possible altitudinal variations within the selected forest/ vegetation type
Short-list at least two sites per forest/ vegetation type to allow selection of the best site during
MPCA finalization
SIZEIdeally the size of the MPCA should be big enough to include the floristic diversity of the
area/ vegetation type and any further increase in its size adds only negligible number of
species (following species-area curve)
In our project area the size was found to vary between 100-400 hectares and this will be then
adjusted to match with the natural features (the area of MPCAs is likely to stand between 80
to 400 hectares) but average size recommended by NMPB is 200ha.
Involvement of Local people- The local communities being the member of Forest
Protection Committee /Eco Development
Committee are involved for
effective
implementation of the project. Required support activities are taken up.
Since MPCAs are linked to land, the natural questions are - who owns the land? & who has
stakes on the land? In our project set up, the stakeholder analysis showed that the following
need to be involved in the program:
- The concerned state forest departments
- The local communities including FPC/EDC
- The local healers
- The local traders
- The researchers/ educational organizations
The MPCA Establishment Process - 1
Once the potential MPCA sites are identified, the establishment of MPCAs on ground
involves the following steps, viz.:
Marking of Tentative Boundaries:
Tentative boundaries are to be marked on the forest survey maps and locate the same
on the ground with prominent natural features which gives a signal to the local people
that something is going to happen in their locality for development.
The MPCA Establishment Process – 2a
Floristic Studies: It is necessary for arriving at the size of MPCAs and fixing of their
boundaries and for knowing the medicinal plant richness of the site.
Two types of studies to be planned and carried out a. Inventorisation of flora, and
b. Botanical profile
- Inventorisation: Done through systematic perambulation of the area; recording the existence
of species and related information on specially designed herbarium field record books
- Botanical profile: Done through belt transects/ quadrats laid as per stratified random
sampling design , recording data in field record books & analysis of the data.
The MPCA Establishment Process - 3
Identification and Resolution of Conflicts
The first stakeholder group to express its concern about the MPCAs was the local
communities. We need to act fast in understanding the local issues and make attempt
to sort these out.
Thus starts our community interaction, education and organization program.
The MPCA Establishment Process – 4
Fixing of Final Boundaries:
Final boundaries are to be decided in view of the floristic studies and in consultation
with the local communities. These boundaries should then be adjusted to match with
existing natural features for easy identification and record. The boundaries are then
marked on the ground with locally available materials
In reference to South India, a specially designed thematic entry gate was also put up at
the entry of every MPCA
The MPCA Establishment Process - 5
Notification of the area as MPCA
Since all land in India is notified as to its land use, and all forest areas come under
some or the other management prescription, it is necessary to get the MPCAs notified
at the appropriate level
Thus, all MPCAs were thus notified for better management of MPCAs & Principles.
The MPCAs are managed as “hands off” areas with only the following interventions,
wherever required -1.Fire management 2.Soil and moisture conservation & 3.Weed
management/ encouraging native vegetation
In addition to the above, on field research, collection of germplasm for research &
multiplication & rights to the local communitiesmay also be allowed:
All harvesting operations, thus, to be ideally suspended in the MPCAs
Management Tools:
Individual Management Plans for all the MPCAs should be prepared for five years.
The details about MPCAs, local stakeholders, activities
requirements, etc.are to be
based on PRA, budgetary
included in the Management Plans.These Management
Plans form the basis for management of MPCAs .
Management Strategies – 1
It includes the ownership building amongst the resource managers & amongst the
local communities through 1.frequent interactions, systematic sensitization,
awareness creation and re-emphasis on our rich health traditions and conservation
imperatives 2. through development and production of awareness &
educational
material in vernacular languages & 3. through organization of community into MPCA
management committees.
Management Strategies - 2
Capacity Building of the resource managers through well-structured multi-stage
training programs in management of medicinal plants, community education, etc. &
also of the local communities through training programs in community organisation,
setting up of home herbal gardens, nursery management, running of women SHGs,
enterprize development, etc. Training tools like interactive sessions, exposure-cumstudy visits, workshops, etc. were employed for the purpose.
Management Strategies - 3
Management of Red-listed Species
CAMP workshop was organised at Kolkata and threat status of medicinal plant
species arrived at. The occurrence and population status of these Red-listed species
in the MPCA network was assessed & then the resource managers were informed of
the status of Red-listed species to take appropriate action.
Management Strategies - 4
Management of Database
Data gathering is a lot easier than data handling, its management and bringing it to
logical conclusion. The MPCA network will generate huge database & the data will
be analyzed and made available to stakeholders for appropriate action. The forest
department will also develop data Bank.
Results and Discussion:
The following results were obtained as a result of various interventions & the details of
achievement are given below.
MEDICINAL PLANTS CONSERVATION AREAS [MPCAs] ESTABLISHED Table-4
Sl. No.
Place
Area (ha.)
Zone
1.
Tonglu, (Darjeeling)
250
Hills (Darjeeling)
2.
Relling-Salimbong
250
Hills (Darjeeling)
3.
North RVK, 8 & 9
400
Sub-Himalayan WB
4.
Sevok
100
Sub-Himalayan WB
5.
Sursusti – 4
100
Sub-Himalyan WB
6.
Garhpanchkot
200
7.
Jamboo Deep Island
300
Gangetic Plains (SouthWest Bengal )
Sundarbans
8.
Bonnie Camp
300
Sundarbans
TOTAL
1900
Alpine to Sub-Alpine Areas (Darjeeling) Table-5
Site
Division
Block & Comp
Area (ha)
Tonglu
Darjeeling
Tonglu &
Kankibong
250
Dhotrey
Darjeeling
Relling,
Salimbong
Important Medicinal Plant
species
•
•
•
250
•
Aconitum spp, (3 spps)
Panax pseudoginseng
Podophyllum
hexandrum
Thalictrum foliolosum
•
•
•
Taxus wallichian,
Panax pseudoginseng,
Swertia Chirayita
Tropical to Sub Tropical- N B Plains Table-6
Location of
MPCA
Study
Area
North Sevoke
[North Range
Sevok Beat
WL-I Div]
100
ha
Sursuti – 4
[Lataguri Range
Borodighi Beat
Jalpaiguri Div]
100
ha.
NRVK-8 & 9
[Buxaduar Range
Buxaduar Beat
BTR(E) Div]
400
ha.
Altitude/Lat &
Long.
175-204 mt.
o
N 26 37„
o
E 88 12„
Soil Rock
Expected potential of
representative species
Typical terai
Formation, in
alluvial soil
With gravels on
the surface,
Some places
Sandy loam
1. Asparagus
racemosus,
2. Cinnamomum
cecidodaphne,
3. Berberis spp.,
4. Cinnamomum
bejolghota,
5. Litsea,
6. Gynocardia odorata,
7. Mucuna,
8. Rauvolfia serpentina
etc.
76 mt.
o
N 26 45' 22.3“
o
E88 46'59"
158-159 mt.
o
N 26 41.690„
o
E089 33.761'
Typical bhabar
formation,
boulder in subsoil, alluvial soil
with gravels on
the surface,
some places
sandy loam
Tropical to Sub Tropical- S B Plains, Garpanchkot Table-7
Species
Locational Details
CAMP Category
Scientific Name
Common Name
Pterocarpus marsupium
Roxb .
Bija Sal
Garhpanchakot
hillock
IUCN Criteria Status- EN
Rauvolfia serpentine
(L).Benth. ex Kurz
Sarpagandha
Garhpanchakot
hillock
IUCN Criteria Status- EN
Stereospermum colais
IUCN Criteria Status- VU
Aristolochia indica Linn.
Isharmul
Garhpanchakot
hillock
IUCN Criteria Status- VU
Asparagus racemosus
Willd
Satmuli
Garhpanchakot
hillock
IUCN Criteria Status- EN
Celastrus paniculatus
Willd
Kujri
Garhpanchakot
hillock
IUCN Criteria Status- EN
Gloriosa superba Linn.
Bishalanguli
Garhpanchakot
hillock
IUCN Criteria Status- VU
Gymnema sylvestre
(Retz) R.Br.ex Schult
Gurmur
Garhpanchakot
hillock
IUCN Criteria Status- VU
Litsea glutinosa (Lour.)
C.B.Robins
Leda
Garhpanchakot
hillock
IUCN Criteria Status- LC
Morinda citrifolia Linn.
Auk
Garhpanchakot
hillock
IUCN Criteria Status- VU
Mucuna pruriens (Linn.)
DC.
Alkushi
IUCN Criteria Status- EN
Pilot Plantation at Rajabhatkhawa
If it is analysed it is seen that total areas conserved are 1900ha in all the agro-climatic zones
of West Bengal
as a direct benefit. 3 lacs seedlings of medicinal plants were raised &
distributed , 25 has of plantations done, 6 in-situ conservation plots established covering 41ha
& 6 herbal gardens established conserving more than 960 species as measure of ex-situ
conservations. In addition to this several intangible benefits provided cannot be valued in real
terms. The local people & staffs are trained on ex-situ & in-situ conservation leading to a
continuous & sustainable effort for conservation. As a result of which, in continuation to the
previous effort proposal for 7 new MPCAs were again submiited & sanctioned by NMPB,
GOI in 2013-14
Conclusion:
The initiative of W.B Forest Dept. marks a modest but significant beginning of a very
big and important task for ex-situ & in-situ conservation of very important species
under rare & endangered & threatened categories. It requires that a composite system
comprising of preservation, cultivation, and utilization runs on a sustainable basis.
Preparation of a state level inventory of medicinal plant parts in trade in the major
markets within the state. & species level scientific identification is extremely
necessary in case of each item. The knowledge base of ethnic communities & local
people should be preserved. The complete identification of threatened habitat & taxon
in West Bengal will definitely help in taking continuous steps for the conservation of
these species through ex-situ & in-situ conservation. State level initiatives to
introduce and promote cultivation of medicinal plants occurring naturally within the
state which are in high demand developing agro-techniques for as many species as
possible will help in economic development of the people depending on forest.
Establishing infrastructural facilities for ex-situ conservation ,”Seed Banks” and
“Nurseries” on large scale will some way help in conservation of the vulnerable
species. Further research in this regard is the demand of the time.
References:
1. Publications of Directorate of Forests, Govt. of West Bengal
i. Medicinal Plant Resources of Kolkata- A Photo Guide
ii. Annual Research Report of Silviculture (Hills) Division, Silviculture (North)
Division & Silviculture (South) Division for the year 2008-09 to 2011-12.
iii. National Programme on Promoting Medicinal Plant Conservation &
Traditional Knowledge for Enhancing Health & Livelihood Security for West
Bengal(UNDP-CCF‟II Project No 13047).
iv. STATE FOREST REPORT 2011-12, Directorate of Forests, Govt. of West
Bengal.
2. Medicinal Plants: Rescuing a Global Heritage, Volumes 23-355
By John Lambert, Jitendra Srivastava, Noel Vietmeyer
3. Core collections of plant genetic resources
Th.J.L. van Hintum, A.H.D. Brown, C. Spillane and T. Hodgkin
IPGRI Technical Bulletin No. 3, 2000.
4. IPGRI TECHNICAL BULLETIN NO. 11- In situ conservation of wild plant species a
critical global review of good practices.
5. Arora GS and Julka JM (1994). Status Report on Biodiversity Conservation: Western
Himalayan Ecosystem. IIPA, New Delhi.
6. Cohen JI et al., (1991). Ex-situ Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources: Global
Development and Environmental Concern. Science 253: 866-872.
7. Engels, J.M.M. and L. Visser, editors. (2003). A Guide to Effective Management of
Germplasm Collections. CABI, IFPRI, IPGRI, SGRP. 174 p.
8. Kameswara, N., J. Hanson, M. E. Dulloo, K. Ghosh, A. Nowell and M. Larinde.
(2006). Manual of Seed Handling in Genebanks. Bioversity International, CTA (Technical
Center for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation), FAO, ILRI. 147 p.
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