Successful cultivation of highly valued and endangered medicinal herb Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurrooa): A case study from Ghesh village of Uttarakhand, Himalaya

The cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) is considered to be a great importance for the protection of natural populations as well as an option for livelihoods. At present most of the valuable MAPs are being heavily extracted for herbal drugs, traditional use and research purposes from the wild. This has adversely affected the existence of a number of plants particularly those of high commercial value. To check this over extraction of MAPs for various purposes and meet out the growing demands of raw materials, the domestication and cultivation of these species is only viable option. Cultivation of MAPs could also provide an opportunity to enhance the additional incomes of people residing in harsh environments such as high altitude areas of Himalaya where employment opportunities are very less. To maintain the in-situ conservation as well as development of self-employment opportunities in villages of higher Himalayan region, the High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Centre (HAPPRC) had initiated cultivation of highly valued and endangered medicinal herb Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurrooa) at Ghesh village (situated at 2500 m asl) of District Chamoli, Uttarakhand, India in 2001–2002. After thirteen years of continuous efforts, monitoring and observations a tangible impact of Kutki cultivation has been recorded in comparison to other traditionally growing crops i.e., Solanum tuberosum L. Amaranthus spinosus L., Phaseolus vulgaris L, (Fagopyrum esculentum L.), Eleusinian coracana L. and Triticum aestivum L. in village. Now the commercial cultivation of this valuable species creates the source of additional income to villagers and also checks the illegal collection of herbs from the wild.