Oushadhapalanam: Conservation of Red-Listed Medicinal Plants
The Department of Dravyagunavijnanam at VPSV Ayurveda College, Kottakkal, implemented the project “Oushadhapalanam” with support from the Kerala State Biodiversity Board (Sanction Order No. 732/A14/2022/KSBB dated 12-01-2023). Completed in 2024, the initiative focused on the ex-situ conservation of rare and endangered medicinal plants within the college’s 2.5-acre herbal garden, addressing challenges like habitat loss and overexploitation.
A major achievement of the project was the establishment of a greenhouse facility (8 m × 5 m × 5 m) for conserving sensitive species under controlled conditions. The project also included procurement and cultivation of red-listed plants and maintenance of existing species, with a total fund utilization of around ₹3.5 lakh.
Several rare medicinal plants such as Aquilaria agallocha, Commiphora wightii, Santalum album, and Pterocarpus santalinus were successfully conserved. The initiative strengthened the herbal garden as a conservation centre while enhancing opportunities for student learning and research in pharmacognosy and ethnobotany.
Overall, the project stands out for integrating biodiversity conservation with Ayurvedic education and research, promoting sustainable use of medicinal plant resources and raising awareness on environmental conservation.
