Vulnerable Medicinal Plants and the Risk Factors for their Sustainable Use in Bhutan.

Free listing and ranking techniques were used to acquire information on the medicinal plants, which grow exclusively in Bhutan, and to list the 15 most vulnerable species. Furthermore, the possible risk factors that may affect the sustainable use of medicinal plants were also identified. Self-administered, open questionnaires were answered and returned by 10 professionals who possess an extensive knowledge on medicinal plants used in the gso-ba-rig-pa system. A total number of 153 Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) were listed. Almost 90% of these species are currently used by the Institute of Traditional Medicine Services (ITMS). All of the 15 most vulnerable species are high altitude medicinal herbs found in fragile ecosystems of the Himalayas between 3,000 to 5,500 meters above sea level. Among them, Meconopsis simplicifolia (D.Don), Walpers ranked first in its score and is considered the most threatened species. In the questionnaires, the respondents identified approximately 10 risk factors, which are related to the sustainable use of MAPs. These risk factors broadly fall into four categories: biological, ecological, social and economical factors. Current policies, frameworks and acts which are put in place to ensure the sustainable use of medicinal plants are described in this paper as well as a discussion on possible future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]