- The deodar forests of Himachal Pradesh which was once known for its rich biodiversity has seen a decline.
- 47 medicinal plant species are on the Red list and 11 species are critically endangered in the State.
- Some of the plants:
- 8 medicinal plants or ‘Ashtavarga’ namely Jeevaka, Rishbhaka, Meda, Mahameda, Kakoli, Kshirakakoli, Riddhi and Vriddh, which are the constituents of the Ayurvedic formulation Chyavanprash.
- Henry Collect recorded the presence of ‘kshirakakoli’ or Lilium polyphyllum in 1902, but presently the wild varieties have completely vanished from the State.
- The Blue pine that dominates the landscape near Shimla is a native but an exotic invasive species that has replaced the local white oak.
- The bright yellow flowers that dot the landscape too are of an invasive species Solanum chacoense, a species of wild potato.
- ‘Ashtavarga project’ to revive these eight herbs has been initiated along with growing other local species such as Indian maple and other medicinal plants.
- Read at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/bringing-ashtavarga-back-to-the-hills/article6330316.ece