Journal of Plant Pathology & Microbiology

Ethno-medicinal plant diversity of Bangladesh - Their conservation status at the botanical garden of Bangladesh Agricultural University

2^nd International Conference on Plant Science & Physiology

June 26-27, 2017 Bangkok, Thailand

A K M Golam Sarwar

Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Plant Pathol Microbiol

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Ethno-Medicinal plant genetic resources are one of the most important elements of biodiversity which support life system on earth. Over 50% of prescription drugs are derived from chemicals those first identified in plants. Bangladesh, as a part of the ancient Indian subcontinent, has a long history on use of plants in the traditional medicine as Ayurvedic, Unani and Tibetan System of Medicine. Although occupying relatively small geographical area, she is rich in both floral and faunal diversities. Bangladesh is also rich in ethnic minority population and people of more than 27 ethnic minorities groups live in Bangladesh. The flowering plants diversity in Bangladesh varies from 3,813 to 5,700 species. More than 750 species have been prescribed for the treatment of different diseases in traditional medicine. The Botanic Gardens Conservation International identified 400 medicinal plants at risk of world-wide extinction from over-collection and deforestation, threatening the discovery of future cures for disease. On contrary, an estimated 80% of people, the majority of these people in developing countries, worldwide rely on traditional, largely herbal, medicine to meet their primary healthcare needs. On this back ground, the Botanical garden of Bangladesh Agricultural University has initiated programmes on ex situ conservation of plants with ethno-medicinal importance along with other conservation activities from its inception in 1963. Findings & Conclusion: The Botanical garden has harbored a large collection of ethno-medicinal plants; more than 350 species have been conserved, and the number is ever increasing. Among these, 23 species are threatened in Bangladesh territory; however, many of them are rare in the wild. The important uses of collected medicinal plants have also been described. As the population density is increasing in an alarming rate, proper attention should be given to conserve the ethno-medicinal plant resources of Bangladesh for the welfare of human being and animal health.

Biography :

A K M Golam Sarwar is a Professor of Plant Systematics at the Bangladesh Agricultural University, and he has his expertise in Bio-resources and Production Science (major in Pollen Morphology and Ericaceae Systematics). He has four discoveries in angiosperm palynology and another one in seed physiology of rice. He is a Recipient of “Young Researcher Award 2009” of Palynological Society of Japan. He is a Graduate Student advisory committee Chair/Member: MS 5 (ongoing), 17 (Completed) and PhD 5 (ongoing). Now, he is leading huge conservation activities on ethno-medicinal plant biodiversity of Bangladesh as the Curator, Botanical Garden, the 2nd largest of this type in Bangladesh, of Bangladesh Agricultural University. His current research interests are on Ethno-botany, Plant Morphology, Biodiversity and Conservation related issues, and Bio-energy crops.

Email: drsarwar@bau.edu.bd