Central Health Minister Shri Gulaam Nabi Aazaad informed that a provision of 3 Crore 76 Lakh 82 Thousand rupees is made for research, development and increment in number of trees named as Narkya, which is proved as beneficial for cure of cancer and other diseases.
Previously, M.P. Shri Sadashivrao Mandlik had sent a letter to Central Health Minister Shri Aazaad on 14-Oct-2011, which contained a proposal to start a research centre in Kolhapur District for research and development of Narkya Tree. This proposal has now been approved by the government.
The Narkya Tree has very good medicinal uses and its importance is not hidden from citizens. It is grown in huge numbers in hilly areas of southern district. But, a question has arisen for its research and development. For this, MP Shri Mandlik had suggested to start a research centre.
The scientific name of this tree is ‘Nothapodyyates ovate’ (Mapia foetida) and is commonly named as ‘Narkya’ or Amruta. Recent researches has identified presence of an anti-cancer compound, named ‘Camptothecin’ (CPT), in this species. This could be the reason for its large scale smuggling out of India. It is an endangered plant species naturally distributed in the Western Ghats.
Mapia Foetada (Narkya) is planted at the distance 2M x 2M. This is xerophyte plant and grows in tropical climate in adverse condition with low water requirement. The stem and bark of this tree is used (in powder form) for ayurvedic formulations and Extracts of this plant are used for curing of cancer and various diseases.
National Medicinal Plant Board has made a provision of Rs. 3,76,82,000 for research and development of Narkya. This provision will be used for five years by the authenticated people.
Also, Green Colleges have taken up a latest mission to save the endangered medicinal plant Mappia Foetada from being eroded in forest patches and encourage farmers to cultivate the plant as an inter-crop.
Considering over exploitation of the tree, the project has been jointly initiated by Pune’s Garware College, Sirsi’s College of Forestry, Bangalore’s University of Agricultural Sciences, Dapoli’s Dr Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidypeeth, and RANWA Department of Biotechnology.
During this three-year project, scientists will focus on multi-location trials for cultivation of the plant species. Associate Professor at College of Forestry, Sirsi, Dr R. Vasudeva said, “Among plant species known to contain CPT, Narkya has the highest CPT concentrations, about 1 per cent. Obviously, the demand from the pharma-industry is increasing”.
The researchers surveyed the Western Ghats for best suited locations and identified genotypes to know the kinds of nurseries required. The first phase works on how it can be grown at three agro-forestry regions from Maharashtra and Karnataka.
