Export potential of medicinal plants of Sikkim is high: EXIM Bank


Gangtok, September 18: Stating that the potential of exports of medicinal plants from Sikkim can be gauged by the fact the most of the 48 medicinal plants exported from India are found in Sikkim, the Export Import Bank (EXIM) has suggested to the State government to undertake a project on select high value medicinal plants.
The State government was recommended to undertake the project to ascertain the commercial viability of select high value medicinal plants and subsequently set up extraction units in order to move up the value chain, said the EXIM bank in its ‘Sikkim-Export Potential and Prospects’ report.

In its report, the EXIM bank has noted that the flora of Sikkim is extremely diverse, carrying nearly a quarter of all India’s species of flowering plants in an area only a fraction of the total. “With medicinal plants being used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine, the potential for exports from Sikkim is high and can be realized if they are grown on a sustainable basis”, the report states.

The EXIM Bank has recommended State government to form a cooperative structure in villages for promoting cultivation of the identified medicinal plants so as to ensure sustainability. It also recommended for allowing exploration of medicinal plants on a commercial basis which could be monitored and regulated by an appropriate authority.

“Involve the local community in sustainable use of medicinal plants. This process ensures protection of natural habitat by local communities and its accelerated coverage on their lands as alternative cash crops”, the bank has suggested.