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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AYUSH
RAJYA SABHA
ADMITTED STARRED QUESTION NO. *195
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10th MARCH, 2026
“Preserving medicinal plant biodiversity”
*195. SHRI BABUBHAI JESANGBHAI DESAI :
Will the Minister of Ayush be pleased to state:
(a) the concrete initiatives being taken to systematically map, preserve and promote medicinal
plant biodiversity in ecologically sensitive and biodiverse regions such as the Satpura Hills and
the contiguous mountain ranges spanning Gujarat and Maharashtra, where ethnobotanical
studies have documented numerous species with traditional medicinal values; and
(b) the specific measures to engage and empower tribal communities, integrate traditional
knowledge with scientific research and promote rural livelihoods while ensuring biodiversity
conservation?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH
(SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) to (b) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.
*195 FOR 10TH MARCH, 2026
(a): The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of Ayush is presently implementing
“Central Sector Scheme for Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal
Plants” throughout the country including State of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Under the
scheme, there is a provision to provide project based support to State Forest Departments for in-situ
conservation/preservation of medicinal plants in their natural habitats by way of establishment of
Medicinal Plants Conservation and Development Areas (MPCDAs). For establishing MPCDAs, as per
provision of scheme guidelines, project based financial assistance @ Rs. 20,000 per ha. is provided to
State Forest Departments. The details of MPCDAs supported under above said scheme in state of
Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh (covering Satpura Hills) and Maharashtra are at Annexure-I. The MPCDAs
supported in State of Madhya Pradesh covering the Satpura Hills.
(b): Under the above scheme, to promote rural livelihood project based support is also provided through
State Forest Departments to Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs)/Panchayats/ Van
Panchayat/SHGs/BMCs for setting of local cluster for value addition, drying, warehousing and
augmenting marketing infrastructure, etc. and also to the forest fringe communities.
Moreover, the Government has also taken the following initiative to empower the tribal communities by
providing them with better employment of livelihood, and utilizing their traditional knowledge:
i. Participatory Forest Management (PFM)
ii. Green India Mission (GIM)
iii. Non- Timber Forest Produce (NTFPs)
iv. VDVKs under the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojna- Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (PMJVM-VDVK
100% CSS)
v. Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan Scheme (PMJANMAN)Annexure – I
The State/UT-wise details of Medicinal Plant Conservation Development Areas (MPCDAs)
supported Central Sector Scheme for Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of
Medicinal Plants
S. Name of No. of MPCDAs Name of MPCDAs
No. States/UTs Supported
1. Gujarat 13 (1) Mathal
(2) Tharavada
(3) Valsad
(4) Surat
(5) Kurboi Nabhoi
(6) Kachchh
(7) Jamnagar
(8) Rajkot
(9) Saurashtra
(10) Central Gujarat
(11) North Gujarat
(12) Kachchh Saline
(13) Mahisagar
2. Madhya Pradesh 11 (1) Amrakantak
(2) Barman
(3) East Batkakhapa
(4) East Chhindwada
(5) Tamia
(6) Pandurna
(7) Dindori
(8) Bhoribandh
(9) Mavai
(10) Kattiwara
(11) Karahal
3. Maharashtra 15 (1) Gullar ghat
(2) Honya Koli
(3) Sawarani
(4) Ghatang Range
(5) Melaghat Range
(6) Dhannu Range
(7) Thane
(8) West Nasik
(9) Ruyad
(10) Welgoor
(11) Bhatari
(12) Chindhichak
(13) Kopella
(14) Mandvi Range
(15) Shirsad Range
Total 39