DIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION STATUS OF RED-LISTED MEDICIANL PLANTS IN TAMIL NADU

Abstract

Tamil Nadu has rich repository of medicinal plant wealth and equally threatened with several number of factors. There has been enumerated a total of 119 species Red Listed medicinal plants, from which 27 species have assessed global RL status. Fourteen species have been assigned Critically Endangered (CR) status, 27 species are Endangered (EN), 31 species are Vulnerable (VU) and 10 species are Near Threatened (NT). 18 of these Red Listed medicinal plant species have been recorded in high volume trade in the national level trade study. The present paper analysed the diversity status of endemic medicinal plant diversity,assessment methods, policy terms related to medicinal plant conservation and conservational areas in Tamil Nadu.