1. Sudiyo (Olax nana)
Olax nana is a medicinal plant that was rediscovered in the small village of Lathedi (Kachchh) after 104 years during our sample survey. The BMC has taken it upon itself to conserve the rare plant by demarcating and fencing the area with thorny shrubs. They installed signboards mentioning the significance of the rediscovery of the plant. MS University, Baroda has collaborated with BMC and Sahjeevan in devising plans for the restoration of this threatened species. Talks of tissue culture and in-situ protection are underway.
Awareness activities were undertaken in schools by the BMC to create ecological consciousness in young minds. The community is monitoring the conservation site and keeps the collaborators updated about its growth and status.
2. Fog Vel (Ephedra foliate)
The species is recorded from very few localities in Gujarat, and it is a conservationally significant species for its medicinal properties. It is found in Nakhatrana (Vang, Devisar and Dhinodhar landscapes) and the Lakhpat landscape. The plant is of immense medicinal value and its medicinal properties have been mentioned way back during Charak’s period (Kirtikar and Basu, 1935). The plant is medicinally important as it yields an important drug, Ephedrine, which is used for the common cold, asthma and nasal diseases.
Based on a detailed ecological understanding of the distribution of this plant species, seeds are broadcasted with help of identified potential sites with preferable macro and micro habitats of this species. Nurseries were established with BMCs and seed collection from other native sites was done for creating a seed bank.
3. Mitho Guggul (Commiphora stocksiana)
Mitho Guggul is an important ancient medicinal plant. The stem and branches are green and remain covered with shiny ash or silver-coloured bark which comes off in a paper-like scroll exposing green under-bark. This is a threatened and vulnerable species due to its over-exploitation and only seven were found during the sampling survey.
Sahjeevan collaborated with MS University, Baroda for propagating 100-saplings with the tissue culture technique which was then shared with the BMCs. The community incorporated it into their restoration plan and nurtured the saplings in the wild. The selected BMC of Lakhpat was trained in maintaining nurseries to apply the tissue culture technique. Currently, there are 50 nurseries that are maintaining the numbers of Mitho Guggul in Lakhpat taluka, Kachchh.
4. Dodi, Jivantika (Leptadenia reticulate)
Dodi is a rare medicinal plant in Abdasa taluka, Kachchh. A proper systematic survey with the BMC was conducted to know the microhabitat requirement for this species and identical habitats were identified to restore the wild population. Within Kachchh, several sites have also been identified for seed collection of this species as a part of ex-situ conservation with the BMC like Chhadura in Abdasa taluka. Habitat management work, including invasive species eradication was undertaken by the BMC of Chhadura.