NATIONAL PLANT CONSERVATION PROGRAMME
 

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Awards
 

Central Zone
 
Institution  AROGYADHAM (J.R.D.TATA FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH IN AYURVEDA AND
 YOGA SCIENCES), DEENDAYAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, CHITRAKOOT - 485 331,
 DIST. SATNA   (M.P.), INDIA
Project Title  Conservation of 10 Threatened Plants of Chitrakoot
 Region of Madhya Pradesh through ex situ Methods.

Duration

Total Grant
(INR in Lakhs)
Project
Leader(s)		  Dr. R.L.S. Sikarwar / Mr. Anil Jaiswal

1 year

1.766
Summary of Aims/ Objectives of the Project
Chitrakoot region is rich in biodiversity. Several rare and endangered plants listed in Red Data Book of India are found in this region. Alectra chitrakutensis(Rau) Prasad & Dixit (Scrophulariaceae)is a narrow endemic species confined to Chitrakoot. It grows as a parasite on roots of white flowered variety of Vitex negundo L. (Verbenaceae). It is confined to a narrow distributional range and specific soil type. It is highly medicinal and overexploited by local people for treatment of various ailments and diseases like leprosy, tuberculosis, constipation, asthma, piles, etc. They collect this plant and sell in the nearby market @ Rs.100/ Kg. Overexploitation for local trade is one of the reasons for the endangerment of this taxon. Other highly threatened plants like Butea monosperma var. lutea (yellow flowered), Vitex negundo (white flowered variety),
Gloriosa superba, Operculina petaloidea, Chlorophytum arundinaceum, Oroxylum indicum, etc are also being eliminated from their natural habitats due to indiscriminate cutting of forests for fuel, agriculture and other developmental activities. Therefore, ex situ conservation of these threatened plants is essential to save them from the threat of extinction.
 
The specific aims & objectives of the project are:
 
  • To collect seeds/propagules of the following ten threatened plants
    and their cultivation and multiplication in nursery (1. Alectra chitrakutensis, 2. Butea monosperma var lutea, 3. Clerodendron serratum, 4. Commiphora wightii 5. Gloriosa superba 6. Operculina petalloidea, 7. Oroxylum indicum, 8. Salvaroda oleoides, 9. Uraria picta, 10. Vitex negundo (white flowered).
  • To create live gene bank of the candidate threatened plants.
  • To develop agro technology for the species that are difficult to multiply.
  • To educate the local people and school children about the importance of threatened plants through exhibitions and workshops
  • To prepare herbarium specimens and museum samples of these selected threatened plants.
Expected Outcome
  • 10 species will be conserved in the Herbal Garden of DRI.
  • 10 accessions of each species will be introduced and maintained.
  • The ex situ Live plant collection will be made for education and awareness building among different target groups.
  • Herbarium specimens of candidate species will be preserved.
  • Seed bank will be developed.
  • Local people and School children will be educated.
  • The conservation programme will be linked with the ongoing grass root level community empowerment program of DRI.
 

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