To conserve plant diversity, including medicinal plants, in general and to protect the threatened species in particular, habitat improvement is the primary measure. For this purpose, about 76.9 million ha. of country’s geographical area has been notified as forests. Plants listed as threatened receive special attention under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Cultivation of medicinal plants in degraded forest lands is supported through the schemes of the National Afforestation & Eco-development Board (NAEB).

The National Medicinal Plant Board, Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) also provides financial assistance to State Governments for cultivation of prioritized Medicinal Plants. Financial assistance is also being provided to eligible organizations for activities relating to in-situ / ex-situ conservation, research & development, capacity building and setting up of herbal gardens.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (I/C) Shri Jairam Ramesh in a written reply to a question by Shrimati Kamla Devi Patle in Lok Sabha today.