Diversity, exploitation, conservation and current status of Indian Cycas

Abstract

Many of the medicinal plants, which were common a century ago, have become uncommon today in the wild due to various anthropogenic activities. The current status of those medicinal plants has been assessed under the following threatened categories: vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered. The international conventions namely CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) emphasize on the conservation of plant species and plant groups including the genus Cycas for posterity by sustainable utilization. The present article highlights the unique characteristic features of the genus Cycas and its diversity, exploitation, conservation and current status in India.