Exotic plant species, unsustainable constructions among challenges: survey. Introduction of exotic species, reckless harvesting of plant resources, and ecologically unsustainable methods of construction are threatening the fragile ecosystem and rich biodiversity in Idamalakkudy, the only tribal panchayat in Kerala, located in Idukki district.

A week-long biodiversity assessment programme conducted by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board revealed that the community, spread over 28 settlements in Idamalakkudy, was facing a threat to its sustainable method of living from external factors.

Ahmedabad: An extract from the ubiquitous household plant tulsi is found to protect one from harmful nuclear radiations—during a war situation or in the event of a nuclear reactor leak. The extracted phytochemicals from tulsi are now being turned into a drug at a Gujarat facility – Gujarat

Liqui Pharmacaps Limited (GLPL) in Padra on the outskirts of Vadodara city.The drug will be India's indigenous defence against all kinds of radiation and even prove to be a boon for cancer patients to alleviate the side effects of radiotherapy treatment.

JAMMU, Feb 8: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on Wednesday sought the support of Council of Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR) in the promotion of aroma, herbal and leather industry in Jammu and Kashmir. "We are also looking forward for technological intervention of CSIR to enable the State utilize huge quantity of weeds produced in Dal and other lakes", Chief Minister told the visiting team of CSIR led by Secretary Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and Director General, Prof. Samir K. Brahmachari, who called on the Chief Minister here.

The ancient Indian tradition of growing tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) in the backyard is not without scientific backing.

Research shows that the tulsi, or Indian basil, mitigates the ill-effects of radiation, whether background or nuclear, and could protect cells in patients undergoing radiation therapy for cancer.

An experiment using tulsi has entered phase II clinical trial, says scientist

India is now working on herbal solutions for protecting its security personnel and civilians against radiation with widely found tulsi (basil) showing very encouraging results.

While an experiment using tulsi (basil) has entered crucial phase II clinical trial, research on two other herbs are being carried out by scientists at the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Life Sciences, New Delhi.

Bhubaneswar: Though Odisha possesses a vast stock of medicinal plants, it still loses an annual revenue to the tune of Rs 500 crore due to absence of a herbal market.
While the state government is having tall talks on spending crores of rupees for creation of medicinal plant forests, it has, on the contrary, not made any effort to create a viable market to enable the medicinal plant farmers to market their produce effectively.

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