Anthropogenic and Biological Pressure on Critically Endangered Species Commiphora Wightii (Arnott) Bhandari in its Natural Habitat, India

Despite the loss of large number of forest species in the country, but our gluttonous demand for the resources still continue in insatiable way. a well-known medicinal plant for its healing properties. It has been used since our vedic era and now it is over exploited due to voracious demand in global market; hence it become in a queue of extinction. Processed Commiphora wighttii oleo-resin products are exported from India to global market, including re-export to Pakistan, for anti-inflammatory use and an anti-obesity treatment considered to lower cholesterol and lipid levels. In this paper we try to review an anthropogenic and biological threat factors with reference to its status, distribution and demand for its medicinal properties. Commiphora wightii has over exploited for its medicinal properties, while the species distributed in small geographical area of India and adjoining sub continents with arid climatic condition and facing varied anthropogenic and biological pressure. It is categorized as critically endangered by IUCN after detailed field assessment. To protect the species from future extinction it needs to regulate extraction and demand for its medicinal properties under legislative laws. Also conserve by scientific research and adopt different conservation strategies like In-situ and Ex-situ programmes.

Author(s): JR Rot*, K Sasikumar, MK Sujnan, SK Jha and PL Katara

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