Equator Prize 2002

http://www.rcmpcc.org

Full Nomination

"Forest Pharmacy" - TVE Hands On Profile

Video

YouTube Video

Description: A local non-governmental organization, the Medicinal Plants Conservation Centre (MPCC) works in partnership with government Forest Departments, other NGOs and local village communities to promote the conservation of medicinal plants endemic to Maharashtra State.

Key Activities and Innovations: Channeling government support, the group works to revitalize traditional health practices through the conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants, still the primary source of healthcare needs for the majority of the rural population.

Key Impacts

Biodiversity

• Inventory of 1,600 medicinal plants of Maharashtra State

• Participatory threat assessment of 50 medicinal plants, identifying 26 species with higher extinction threat

• Enhanced protection to 13 forest areas, each about 200 hectares in size

• The program sensitizes forest officials to the value of medicinal plant resources in their territory, with threat scenarios resulting in increased conservation

Socio-economic

• Strengthened health security for local communities

• Training programs build local capacity for primary health care

• Nursery operations and the development of herbal products raise local incomes

• Creation of "seed grants" used as a revolving fund for income generation activities, particularly for women

Policy

• The Government of India has strongly promoted the initiative in other states, such as through the Planning Commission Task Force Report on Medicinal Plants which led to the establishment of a Medicinal Plants Board that finances such activities nationwide

Replication

• Training programs for local management and protection committees are offered to women from several villages in the use of medicinal plants, processing techniques for production of herbal medicines, and financial management

Partners

• The Forest Department
• NGOs - Rural communes
• Indigenous groups and local communities
• Scientists and teachers

Research

Lessons from the Equator Initiative: Rural Commune’s Medicinal Plant Conservation Center, Pune, India
Lessons from Community Self-Organization and Cross-Scale Linkages in Four Equator Initiative Projects

In the News

Credit for Conservation
Conserving Indigenous Medicinal Plants - Maharashtra Experience
They Are Reaping the Rewards of Commitment

Contacts

Mrs. Rajashree Joshi and Mr. Sarish Elkunchwar
Medicinal Plants Conservation Centre
Rural Communes, F-3, 2nd Floor,
Radha-Krishna Society, T.M.V. Colony,
Mukundnagar, Gultekdi
Pune 411 037
India
Tel: (91-20) 4266629, 5270216
Fax: (91-20) 5270216
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it