Collection and Marketing of Important Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Tribal Areas of Himachal Pradesh

Collection and marketing of medicinal and aromatic plants is a highly labour oriented activity. Only right holders are allowed to collect these products. Illegal collection and marketing of the produce, however, also takes place; and the State Forest Department has taken some steps to check this practice. 'Dhoop'
(Jurinea macrocephala) and 'Karu' (Picororrhiza kurrooa) are the two important items collected in the area. These are followed by 'Thuth'
(Salvia moorcroftiana), 'Banafsha' (Viola serpens) and 'Patish' (Aconitum sps.) respectively. Collectors' net share in consumer's rupee for different products is low and ranges from about 14 to 23 per cent for 'dhoop' and 22 to 28 per cent for 'karu'. Marketing channel, Collectors. Contractor - Broker - Wholesaler - Consumers was noted to be widely in use. Contractor's margins were also noted to be high. Labour charges are the major component of collectors' cost and account for about 17 and 10 percent of the consumer's price for 'dhoop' and 'karu' respectively. The study points out the need to curb the practice of unscientific extraction of this forest wealth. In order that the collectors get remunerative prices, marketing of M&APs need to be streamlined and cooperative efforts may be promoted. This will help in creating a say in the market for collectors of different M&APs from the State; who individually are only small-lot sellers.