Illegal extraction threatens survival of kashmal herb

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, September 21

Rare medicinal herbs are being uprooted with impunity in Kangra and adjoining districts of Chamba and Mandi. Berries of kashmal plant called berberry aristata are being uprooted and sold out of Himachal illegally.

Large piles of uprooted kashmal plants were found along the Baijnath-Mandi road. A probe revealed that the plants had been uprooted from roadsides by locals, who sold these for a meagre amount to ayurvedic drug companies within and outside the state. The areas in which extraction of plants is being carried out, fall along the borders of Kangra and Mandi districts. The area has a rich growth of kashmal herbs, which now faces a threat of over exploitation.

Since the roots of kashmal plants are of medicinal value, the people sell these to pharmaceutical companies.

Locals alleged that large-scale illegal extraction of the plants from the hills alongside the roads was leading to landslides during monsoon. They said the people dug about 5 feet deep pits to extract kashmal roots, which loosened the soil, leading to landslides.

Senior forest officials said earlier, the DFO used to issue export permits for kashmal plants, but due to over exploitation of the herb, the Forest Department had banned its extraction and export.

Sources said earlier, large-scale illegal extraction was reported from Chamba district, but now the plant was on the verge of extinction there. The people in the trade are now targeting Baijnath in Chamba and Jogindernagar in Mandi district.

Kashmal plant grows between two and four metres high and produces yellow flowers and blue or black berries. Its root bark, fruits and leaves are used in producing traditional medicine. The dried fruit is considered as mild laxative and is rich in vitamin C. The leaves are used to treat jaundice and concoction of root bark is given to diabetes patients.

The local people are selling the plant at rates ranging between Rs 100 and Rs 500 per kg to traders who further sell it at higher rates to pharmaceutical companies.

Himachal Pradesh has an ideal environment for growing many medicinal plants, but the state government has failed to motivate local farmers to grow these on commercial basis. Due to rising demand of medicinal plants, these are being uprooted with impunity, which is threatening the survival of many species.

Has high medicinal value 

• Kashmal plant has a height between two and  four metre.
• It produces yellow flowers and blue or black berries.
• Its root bark, fruits and leaves are used in producing traditional medicine.
• The dried fruit is considered as mild laxative and is rich in vitamin C.
• The leaves are used to treat jaundice and concoction of root bark is given to diabetes patients.
• The locals are selling it between Rs 100 and Rs 500 per kg to traders who further sell it at higher rates to pharmaceutical companies.