The book reviews the foundational contribution of Shri Jaykrishna Indrajit Thaker on Medicinal Plants of Saurashtra, Gujarat. He was father of plant taxonomy and ethnobotanical research in Gujarat. He was known for his in-depth understanding of plants and their medicinal utilities. Great Botanist like Kirtikar, J.J. Shah and even revered Mahatma Gandhi have paid their tributes to his great sense of duty, devotion and dedication for the subject.
The book briefly examines the historical background on the medicinal plants of Saurashtra region during pre and post independence period. Details on 573 Medicinal plants recorded from the 52 sites in Saurashtra region, encompassing forest areas, grasslands, coastal regions and fallow lands have been covered in the book.
Based on the past and present data on Medicinal Plants status in the different areas, the proposal for Medicinal Plant Conservation Area (MPCA) and Medicinal Plant Development Areas (MPDA) has been suggested. The medicinal plants are further classified based on their medicinal utility, status, distributional pattern and threat category as per IUCN, BSI and WCMC. There is a specific chapter on herbal uses of angiospermic plants of Saurashtra region.
The book reviews the potential of medicinal plants that can be propagated and cultivated in Saurashtra region. It also gives an insight into the commercially cultivated plants, emerging medicinal plants for drugs and pharmaceutical industries.
The book also gives insight into the possible repercussions of Medicinal Plant biodiversity loss and threats. Lastly concluding the status of Medicinal Plants in Saurashtra region, it briefly states about the demand and supply for indigenous species, marketing of medicinal plant products, institutional support, opportunities and constrains in medicinal plant markets and potential future scenario for medicinal plants industry. |
