Transportation and introduction of medicinal plants of the Himalayan region to plain region: Challenges and solutions

Abstract

The Himalayan region serves as a rich reservoir of medicinal plants. Many of these plants have become threatened due to various environmental, socio-economic and institutional challenges. The transplantation of live medicinal plants from Himalayan region to the plains involves numerous challenges. The present study aimed to transport 6 Himalayan medicinal plant species namely, Berberis aristata, Cedrus deodara, Bergenia ciliata, Cinnamomum tamala, Pinus roxburghii, and Thalictrum foliolosum to Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homeopathy (PCIM&H) Ghaziabad. This article attempts to cover various aspects of the transplantation process, including the selection of appropriate species, methods for preserving plant integrity duringtransit, and strategies to mitigate stress and acclimatization issues. Among, the species transported Cinnamomum tamala has the maximum survival percentage followed by Pinus roxburghii. The procedure also highlights the importance of pre- and post-transit care, including acclimatization protocols and soil adaptation techniques. This aims to provide guidelines and best practices for efficiently transporting medicinal plants from Himalayan region to the plains, thereby facilitating their integration into broader medicinal practices and contributing to the ex-situ conservation of valuable plant species and other endangered species.