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"International Standard for Sustainable Wild Collection of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (ISSC-MAP) is being piloted in Kangchanjunga Conservation Area, Nepal. The process to develop ISSC-MAP began in 2004 as a joint initiative of the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, the IUCN Medicinal Plant Specialist Group, WWF Germany and TRAFFIC.
"An estimated 50,000 - 70,000 plant species are used in traditional and modern medicine throughout the world, and in Nepal nearly 700 species are used for these purposes. These species make an essential contribution to healthcare, provide an important source of income to rural harvesters, and, along with species used more for their aromatic properties, fuel a major industry in herbal products, pharmaceuticals and fragrances. The majority of MAP species used today are collected from the wild. Unfortunately, available information suggests that up to 15,000 MAP species could be threatened worldwide, many as a direct result of unsustainable collection practices. This pattern is likely to continue for the foreseeable future due to the high costs of domestication and cultivation of MAP species and other factors. Industry, governments, organic certifiers, resource managers and collectors are looking for a means to assess whether wild collection is sustainable. Consumers also want evidence that products are produced sustainably. ISSC-MAP has been developed to meet this need, and is the product of consultation with wide stakeholders. It focuses on ecological aspects of good collection practices. Social and economic factors are also addressed. ISSC-MAP builds on but does not replace existing principles and standards for sustainable forest practices, organic production, good agricultural practices, fair trade, and product quality.
"With this pilot initiative, the local communities, council members, chamber members, community forestry federations, and other stakeholders have shown much interest on the standard, its potential impacts on conservation and livelihoods, and are enthusiastic on the process." |
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