House concerned over illegal extraction of Paris Polyphylla

ITANAGAR, Aug 30: Illegal extraction and unauthorised trade of Paris Polyphylla, a rare medicinal plant in several districts of Arunachal Pradesh, has been a cause of concern in the state.

Raising the issue in the assembly during a Calling Attention motion today, BJP MLA Tatung Jamoh requested the government to take adequate steps to prevent illegal smuggling of the rare medicinal plant which is enlisted as rare endangered and threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Jamoh informed that the plant, locally known as ‘Kala Kochu’, has been illegally extracted from various districts of the state and traded by the smugglers at Rs 4000-5000 per kg. “The smuggling of the plant by people from outside the state has led to law and order problems in various parts of the state with reports of murder in Upper Siang district in recent times,” Jamoh disclosed and urged the government to work out modalities to stop the menace.

Paris polyphylla is a member of the family of Melanthiaceae (earlier Trilliaceae or Liliaceae). It is known as “Love Apple” in English. This erect and herbaceous plant was documented for the first time in 1985 in the Chinese pharmacopeia. It is a traditional medicinal herb known to have many medicinal properties like anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-tumor, cytotoxicity etc.

Responding to the motion, state Environment and Forest Minister Nabam Rebia while admitting the fact informed that the matter was discussed in the last meeting of State Board for Wildlife and in the meeting convened by Chief Minister Pema Khandu on May 24 this year with forest officials of the state. “Since it is vulnerable, the department cannot fix royalty of this medicinal plant and allow extraction of the naturally growing stock. A committee has been constituted on August 21 last to formulate guidelines and modalities for cultivation, harvesting and commercialization of important medicinal plants including Paris Pollyphylla,” Rebia disclosed.