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Preventing Extinction: How Makali Beru is Making a Comeback

Makali Beru: The Endangered Wonder Root
The medicinal plant makali beru or swallow root was on the verge of extinction due to overharvesting from forests in Karnataka. However, the forest department is now helping farmers to cultivate this endemic species. Saplings and training on cultivation techniques are being provided to farmers in Chamarajanagar district where makali beru was found earlier. Here is a comprehensive analysis of Makali beru and Its Conservation efforts by the UCN Team to give you the key concepts and insights.
The Forest Dept. aim is to prevent illegal harvesting of the roots from forests and generate revenue for farmers by selling the cultivated produce. Makali beru is used widely in Ayurvedic medicine and pickling.
About Makali Beru
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Makali Beru: An Endangered Medicinal Plant |
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Recent Efforts to Save Makali Beru |
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Significance of These Conservation Efforts |
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Key Takeaways |
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Scientific Name and Description
The scientific name of makali beru is Decalepis hamiltonii. It is a large, creeping woody vine that contains milky latex which is sticky. The branches are jointed and have swollen nodes.
The leaves are opposite, shiny, egg-shaped and around 7 cm long. The yellow flowers are small, around 3mm, and arranged in branched clusters. The fruits are cylindrical, around 5 cm long.
Distribution and Habitat
Makali beru is endemic to peninsular India, especially the forests of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It grows in rocky slopes and crevices in dry and moist deciduous forests.
Uses
The tuberous roots of makali beru are used as a cooling agent and blood purifier in Ayurvedic medicine. They are used to make refreshing drinks and pickles.
The roots are used to treat indigestion, cough, skin diseases, thirst, vomiting, chronic rheumatism, anemia, debility etc. They contain beneficial compounds like antioxidants, flavonoids, alkaloids etc.
Conservation Status
Due to overharvesting from forests over decades, makali beru has become rare and is now classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Efforts to Prevent Extinction
Realizing that makali beru was being rapidly depleted, the Karnataka Forest Department has stepped in to prevent its extinction.
- The department is providing free saplings of makali beru to farmers in Chamarajanagar district along with training to cultivate this species.
- The cultivation of makali beru on farmlands will prevent people from illegally harvesting the roots from forests.
- It provides farmers an alternative crop to sugarcane and cereals which are often raided by wild animals.
- The department is using funds from royalty payments by Ayurvedic companies to provide saplings and training.
Significance of Makali beru Conservation
It’s clear to the UCN team that the efforts to save makali beru from extinction have important dimensions as follows:
Conservation of endemic species
- Overharvesting pushes endemic species like makali beru to extinction
- Need sustainable cultivation to reduce pressure on wild populations
- Ex-situ conservation through farming, banks etc
Sustainable use of biodiversity
- Makali beru shows value of traditional knowledge about medicinal plants
- Such knowledge should be preserved and used sustainably
- Access and Benefit Sharing provisions under CBD encourage such sustainable use
Role of traditional medicine
- Makali beru highlights role of medicinal plants in traditional medicine systems
- India has extensive indigenous medical knowledge that needs to be promoted
- Integration with modern medicine can provide affordable healthcare
Human-wildlife conflict
- Makali beru provides farmers an alternative crop to reduce crop raids by animals
- Reduces retaliatory killing of wildlife while supporting livelihoods
- Needs proactive policies to provide attractive alternate livelihood options
Community participation in conservation
- Cultivation of makali beru involves forest dept and local communities
- Such participation essential for conservation initiatives to succeed
- Decentralized, bottom-up approaches ensure long-term sustainability
The case of makali beru thus provides insights into key issues related to conservation, medicinal plants, human-wildlife dynamics, traditional knowledge, sustainable development etc.