Raising rare medicinal plants in Modhupur

A partial view of the garden of herbal plants at Charaljani in Modhupur Forest Range in Tangail. PHOTO: STAR

Started in June 2003, the garden has 8500 plants of 48 varieties now.

Most of the varieties are scarcely available in the country now. Plants in the garden include Hartaki, Amlaki, Bohera, Nim, Nisinda, Arjun, Mohua, Nageshor, Olotkombal, Bakul, Sunalu, Chandan, Agar, Amra, Jalpai, Kharajura, Pitraj, Guava, Jamboline, Marmelos, Kalamagh, Bashok, Hatishur, Champa flower, Pipul, Akanda, Greetakanchon, Kawkola, Mahadi, Nayantara, Shatamuli, Chapalish, Ashok, Shafali, Chalta, Sarpagonda, Pathorkuchi, Tulshi, Dhutara, Tajpata, Jambura, Takijam, Kumbhi, Dawa, Garjan and Haimonti.

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All the plants are very useful for treatment of different disease. For example, Olotkomal is very useful in treating diabetes and skin disease. Its botanical name is Abroma Augusta. Bulk of the tree is also used as medicine.

Bohera is a rare medicinal plant. It is available in Gujrat province in India. It is useful in treatment of eye and intestinal diseases. Its medical name is Andersonia. Bulk of the tree is also used as medicine.

Hatishuru is another rare medicinal plant used for treating dental and skin diseases. Its medical name is Heliotropium Indicum. Flower of the tree is also used as medicine.

Akanda is useful for leprosy. Its medical name is Calatropis Ginantia. Its flower is also used as medicine.

The garden is about four kilometers from the Modhupur upazila headquarter along the Mymensingh- Tangail road.

This correspondent visited garden recently. Abdur Rahaman, Bit Officer of Charaljani Forest Bit, said they have started collecting leaves, bulks and flowers from some of the plants and supplying those for use as herbal medicine. All the plants are being nursed properly and full collection of raw materials from the plants will begin in about 4-5 years. He said the soil of the region is very suitable for cultivating medicinal trees.

Abdul Latif, Ranger of the Modhupur Forest Range, said the Forest Ministry has decided to establish another 25 acre garden and a research centre on herbal plants here.

Raw materials collected from the gardens will be supplied to different companies producing herbal medicine.

He said Bangladesh now imports raw materials worth several crores of taka every year to produce herbal medicine. The two gardens will meet the country's demand after some years, he said.

Some sales centres will be opened in different areas of the country when raw materials extraction will begin in full swing, he said.