Saraca asoca (Roxb.) W. J. de Wilde: From Vulnerability to Sustainability

The Planning Commission, Government of India and National Medicinal Plant Board have shortlisted 32 species of medicinal plants for research and development. Saraca asoca (Roxb.) de Wilde. holds an important position in this list. Its bark finds extensive use in a range of medicines. Demand for S. asoca bark far exceeds the supply. In India, wild populations of S. asoca have been recorded at lower altitudes as scattered riparian patches in humid evergreen forests. The chapter presents comparative studies between species of Saraca. Floral biology of natural and cultivated populations is discussed. Population structure and regeneration status of S. asoca have been presented. The chapter also presents studies of genetic diversity and their implications to conservation of S. asoca. The chapter details medicinal importance of various parts of S. asoca and active ingredients therein. Scientific methods of bark harvesting, systematic cultivation, mass multiplication and introduction to agro-forestry system shall reduce the harvesting pressure from the wild, and take S. asoca from vulnerability to sustainability.