Hasan Zia Rizvi

“Across the globe, approximately 50,000-70,000 MAP species are harvested for their healing properties, cultural significance, and economic value. Of these, almost 1,300 are estimated to be listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), including over 800 in Appendix II” — Noted CITES Press Release. These numbers are not small; rather, they represent a huge biological wealth. As per the estimates of the World Health Organization (WHO), mentioned in Traditional Medicines: Global Situation 2011, a large percentage of people that is 70% to 95%, in developing countries depend on traditional medicines for their primary healthcare needs. Moreover, the cultivation and harvesting of MAPs are important sources of food and income for many households globally; in fact, one in five people relies on these natural resources for both food and income…read more on NOPR