Medicinal plants are valuable natural resources. Unplanned development and overexploitation of medicinal plants from non-managed, natural resources has not only resulted in shortage of various herbs, but extinction of several species in nature. In order to meet the growing demand for these plants, it becomes important to conserve these plant species either by way of domestication and cultivation or by other ex-situ and in situ conservation measures for their sustainable use. Emphasis on cultivation of the wild forms, rather than collecting from the wild would also ensure botanical identity, genetic improvement, quality and continuity in supply. Such cultivation may have to be initiated under well defined conditions showing f.e. micro-climates similar to the niche requirements of the various species.
Cultivation of many medicinal plants on private land is required both to conserve the species and to ensure the supply of quality raw material to the industry. Conservation of medicinal plant species in private land by resource rich individuals has been successful. For example there is Dr. Hanume Gowda, an Ayurvedic Herbal practitioner in Tumkur District who has developed 'Sanjeevani Vana', a two hectare medicinal plant conservation park in the foot hills of degraded Suvarnagiri, 20 km from Devarayanadurga Forest. Since 1999, 3000 plants belonging to about 550 varieties of herbs, shrubs and trees collected from different agro-climatic regions of the country have been introduced in this garden. Many of these species are rare and endangered. The entire park is raised and maintained using the organic agriculture system and without using any fertilizers or pesticides. Today this park serves not only as the source for raw materials for his hospital but also as the study centre for thousands of students, scientists and herbalists of this region. He is a resource rich individual with adequate knowledge of plants and their uses. This concept may well be replicated for conservation of medicinal plant biodiversity on private land.
Cultivation of medicinal plants for production of raw materials for industries can be taken up as an alternative land use system or mixed cropping system on existing farm and forestry lands. However, the major constraints encountered by those who want to do this are non-availability of quality planting material of genuine varieties, lack of extension support in the cultivation and processing and an organized market. The cost of production for cultivated crops is usually high as compared to the cost of material collected from the wild. As a result, cultivation of MPs has not been an attractive proposition to the farmers. Moreover, since no systematic distribution and marketing net work exists, the growers have to depend largely on the middlemen, who deprive the farmers of their legitimate share of revenue.
Concerted efforts have been made during the last few years in conservation of medicinal plants in their native ecosystems. This type of conservation generally aims at protection of certain habitats with the desired plant populations. To fulfill this objective, the Department of Forestry, based on its Joint Forest Management Principles, has developed medicinal plant conservatories in different agro-climatic zones of Karnataka by involving local communities in protection and management of forests and in benefit sharing. Since the local people are the custodians of both the medicinal plant knowledge and the resources, their participation in conservation of medicinal plants is essential for long-term cooperation and sustainability. This model has been working well in certain places. Failure at a few sites is due to non-continuity of committed and trained personnel of the Government, and lack of co-ordination between Government personnel and the members of the Joint Forest Management Committee. For Example: The medicinal plant conservatory park established in Shimoga has been successful largely due to continuation of Department personnel and active participation of local people. Mr. Venkatagiri, a social worker who has a thorough knowledge of medicinal plants growing in Western Ghat regions has been involved in development of the Shimoga conservatory right from the beginning. Non-continuity of committed and trained personnel of the Forestry Department, and non-involvement of local people in management of the conservatory at `Devarayanadurga Forest Range' significantly constrained the project.