Skip to Content

Project -04


 “Value chain analysis of four important ABS potential bio resources in Garhwal region”

2. Description of the project:

 The Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Partnership project under the Indo-German Biodiversity Programme, a joint project of National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India (MoEF&CC) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), is being implemented by HUMAN Sanstha in Uttarakhand. The objectives of the project are:

(a) develop awareness and communication strategies to build better understanding of the Biological Diversity Act 2002 (BDA), ABS Guidelines and the Nagoya Protocol on ABS among various actors and stakeholder groups;

(b) develop, document and disseminate good practices; and

(c) develop an IT-ABS monitoring tool for the NBA. 

The major achievements of the project are as follows -

  • The present study has identified four high value medicinal plants which have ABS potential to contribute to the livelihood of local communities and development of the local economy. For bio-resource identification, the study developed a novel ABS Potential Resource Identification System (APRIS) using certain critical parameters. APRIS has been used as a reliable tool and technique for identification of ABS potential bio-resources. 


  • The study found three identified species namely Atis, Tuth and Tuti listed under CITES to be protected under in-situ as well as ex-situ conservation in Uttarakhand. Successful production of these species has been reported under community based conservation particularly in districts Chamoli (Block Dewal) and Uttarashi (Block Mori). However, Oregano was found as an emerging crop in Ratnagiri district (District Pratap Nagar). 


  • The study found that cultivation of Atis below 2000 m is limited and produces poor quality raw material. There is a need to educate the farmers for selection of suitable cultivation sites according to the species of the products. In addition, there is an urgent need to check the physical and chemical quality of the samples of wild and cultivated sources of all these species.


  • In the study area, a significant increase was recorded in the total number of new products (average 45%) and total production (50%) during 2017-19 irrespective of the species. Selection of suitable cultivation area, organized marketing and better technical support in District Chamoli and Uttar Pradesh cumulatively played a significant role. Introduction of a subsidy scheme (75%) in these crops under National Ayushman Mission by NMPB through HRDI also played a significant role in the growth.


  • The study revealed higher economic profitability (per hectare) under cultivation of Kutki (6.75 lakh) as compared to Kuth (4.50 lakh) and atis (3.75 lakh).


  • The study found that oregano is harvested after 03 months of planting and sold fresh without any processing. A net profit of Rs. 0.70 lakh/hectare was observed during this period. Due to high volume and being a very valuable commodity, its cultivation may not be economically viable in areas having road connectivity problems.


  •  In the study area, there is a need to increase the average landholding, production and income per person under cultivation of these species to a commercially viable level. For greater quantity, large landholdings should enter the value chain. This may also be a matter of quality and productivity due to small landholdings, lack of infrastructure, technical knowledge of crop production and management.


  •  The study observed that in all the supply chain of these medicinal plants, major post-harvest activities are carried out by shopkeepers who adopt poor methods of washing, sorting, drying and storage due to lack of proper knowledge and facilities. About 10-15% post-harvest losses are observed due to lack of processing facilities and technical knowledge. There is a need to establish human service centres equipped with solar dryers. 


  • Due to poor road connectivity, the producers are forced to sell the produce to the village hawkers who manage the supply through roads. Besides, remote and difficult road conditions also discourage outsiders and traders from visiting these groups. 


  • The study also shows that Uttarakhand has adequate government and private institutions that can support the producers and industries in every possible way. However, the study revealed that there are some major barriers at the government level like lack of institutions, trained staff, laboratory facilities and cooperation among these institutions. 


  • The flow of products and information from traders is generally not transparent. Most of the countries lack market information about price and demand in distant markets, which results in difficulty in getting real prices. Products in marginalised areas have also not been able to connect with the growing opportunities of e-commerce and trade.


  • There is an urgent need for a new e-application system in the state for getting the transit pass after getting the producers and traders registered and for getting the actual quantity of goods available.


  • Generally, traders do not differentiate between the price of cultivated and wild collected herbs.The price is decided only by the buyer. In the case of atis and kutki, which take two to three years to develop, the prices offered in the local market were similar to those of the produce collected from the forest. The price does not include the cost of the gestation period required for cultivation. 


  • The study revealed that there are five different marketing channels within the value chains for the two selected species. Producers, rural middlemen and pharmaceutical companies play an important role in all the channels. Channel II and Channel IV are well organized from both the producer and buyer sides in terms of structure, operations and stability. It is noteworthy here that BMC can be easily introduced in these channels for ABS processes. Hence, based on these channels, other channels should be improved.


  • Oregano beads found in channel (V) marked for oregano in Block Joshimath. Its demand and economic viability is stable due to its use in religious practices under the name of Badri Tulsi. Collection of oregano from forests is unable to meet the increasing demand and hence, cultivation needs to be expanded in more villages. 


  • In this project, for the first time two ABS contracts (with PIC and MAT) were signed between Biodiversity Association (BMC Village Ghes and Himni) and Human Institute for cultivation and trade of medicinal plants in the state and ABS practice was effectively implemented.

3. Project Location (State / Region) (Plains / Hills): 

The project was operated in seven districts of Uttarakhand (Retd., Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Pauri, Uttar Pradesh, Haridwar and Dehradun).

4. Client Name: 

GIZ, Germany and New Delhi Project-Component ABS- Erhalt und Nachhaltige Nutzung von Biodiversität in India.

 5. Nature of service provided by the application: 

In order to implement Biodiversity Policy 2002 in Uttarakhand, this project selected all the medicinal plants for ABS in the cultivation and trade of medicinal plants by HUMAN institution. ABS contract (with PIC and MAT) was signed between BMC and HUMAN and implemented effectively. This model can be replicated for other bioresources across the country.

6. Period of services provided by the applicant: 

1 Year

Start date- 01 March 2019

End date- 28 February 2020

7. Other information related to the project: 

The project was operated through Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board, Dehradun.


Sanction letter of the project