Raipur: Chhattisgarh, famous for its rich herbs and forest medicines, is now facing a serious threat to its biodiversity. conservation effortsAbout 20 species Medicinal trees are on the verge of extinction. This worrying situation has inspired a student Forestry Department It has been decided to take action and conduct research for their conservation at Guru Ghasidas Central University (CU) Bilaspur. Endangered Plants,

Researcher Anish Kumar Singh told times of India He said they are working on outdoor-indoor population surveys of two species, dahiman (Cordia macleodii) and rohina (Soymida febrifuga), which are found in the forests of Ratanpur and Achanakmar and are now rare. These plants are suffering from changing weather, unseasonal rains, heat and water scarcity. Villages like Khaira and Gamhari in Baikunthpur block, which were once rich in medicinal trees, are also witnessing decline due to lack of conservation.

Singh noted several challenges in his research, mainly the difficulty in collecting samples due to the small number of medicinal trees and the reluctance of local people to share information, often due to their divine beliefs.

These two medicinal trees, once endemic, are now rarely seen in the state. Chhattisgarh, which has 1,525 medicinal plants, was declared a herbal state in July 2001. However, rapidly changing weather, settlement of villages in forests and indiscriminate cutting of trees for road expansion have brought more than 20 rare species of medicinal plants in the district to the brink of extinction.

A major reason for these medicinal plants and trees being endangered is destructive logging due to their unique and valuable properties, which reduces propagation and makes cultivation difficult. While herbs are easy to grow, trees require a lot of land, and when suitable land is not available, production declines.

Dahiman has many medicinal properties such as wound healing (leaf, bark), healing mouth ulcers (leaf) and jaundice (bark), and also has potential use in treating cancer. It also provides relief from mental agony, blood pressure and jaundice.

Rohina has tremendous medicinal potential as an antibacterial, anti-cancer remedy, antimicrobial, anthelmintic. anti inflammatoryand for treating uterine bleeding, dental diseases, haemorrhage, sore throat and blood coagulation. Baiga and tribal women use these plants postpartum to avoid vaginal infections and purify the blood.

Singh is mainly researching on the conservation of these plants. He is currently working on stabilizing the conditions of the nursery so as to understand the reasons behind the failure of these plants. Automatic Germination and the ability to survive further. Once stabilisation is done, the saplings will be transplanted outside with the help of the forest department. Singh has been working on this research for four years.

Students of the Forestry Department of CU reported that medicinal trees and plants such as Dahiman, Rohina, Gamhar, Palash, Hariya, Bahera, Satawar, Kochila and Arjun were abundant in various villages of the district from 2020 to 2022. Each of these medicinal plants has its own distinct characteristics. However, even in villages like Khaira and Gamhari, these valuable medicinal trees are becoming extinct due to lack of conservation.