Conservation and preservation of medicinal plants-leads from Ayurveda and Vrikshayurveda

Abstract

For instance, “Sacred groves’ were dedicated to a deity or a village God, protected, and worshipped like Devarakaadu near Shimoga, India. The Sacred Groves are important repositories of floral and faunal diversity that have been conserved by local communities in a sustainable manner. They are present in Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, and other places and highlight community managed conservation efforts.1 Historically, the protection of nature and wildlife was an ardent article of faith, reflected in the daily lives of people, enshrined in myths, folklore, religion, arts, and culture. Such traditional cultural attitudes, though based on religious faith, have made significant contribution in the protection and propagation of various species of trees and plants in India. ExUse of bael in summer associated with Ramanavami celebration, Durva for Lord Ganesha, Parijatha plant for Lord Krishna, Bilwa for Lord Ishwara and so on. For the people of India, environmental conservation is not a new concept. Sustainability was ingrained in the thought processes of early Indians as evident from the teachings of Vedas. Perhaps no other culture can provide such a profound variety of cultural practices and ecologically sound relationship with nature as the Indian. For eg: a hymn in Atharva Veda (12.1.35) says “Whatever I dig out from you, O Earth! May that have quick regeneration again, may we not damage thy vital habitat and heart.2 Implicit here are the following principles: In the process of harvest no damage should be done to the earth, Humans are forewarned not against the use of nature for survival, but against the overuse and abuse.