Aryavaidyan Vol.37 No.4

Biodiversity- implications and scope

As a measure of the ecosystem, biodiversity (BD) counts a lot. In simple words ‘Biological
diversity is the variety of life forms at all levels of biological systems (i.e., molecular, organismic,
population, species and ecosystem)’[1]. It is not only variety and variability also. The latter part shows
the dynamicity of life. Biodiversity is the totality of all species in a region which is recognized as an
ecosystem.
Apart from the utilitarian values, BD supports itself by several services like pollination, seed dispersal,
climate regulation, water purification and nutrient cycling. It controls the agricultural pests. The
complete potential benefits of BD are yet to be explored. BD has also got cultural values. Many spiritual
or religious practices were also developed in relation with the BD. Climate change and BD are very
much linked together. Now it is known that the only way to restrict climatic change is by protecting the
BD.
Ayurveda as an age old knowledge system clearly understood the value of BD, especially in terms of
health. Aachaaryas recognized the status of BD as an indicator of nature’s health. Different rtus are
identified from the features expressed by plant and animal life during a particular period of time. In
Ashtangasangraha the plants that blossom, animals which are on ‘musth’, in each season are narrated in
a poetic way to identify rtu [2]. This description can also be considered as indications of ‘health of the
nature (ecosystem)’. Any change in this pattern is asamyagyoga (biological uncongeniality) of kaala
(climate). This stage can be visible as excessive, reduced or perverse manifestation of the seasons. This
threefold of asamyagyoga truly causes diseases in plants, animals and human. This is the ideation behind
‘one health’.
Coming to the very utilitarian role of BD, support and provision of medicinal plants is another factor
related to Ayurvedic treatment. As depicted in loka-purusha-vaada, all the elements existing in the
universe are present in human body and vice versa [3]. This postulation conceives the commonality of
the body with the eco-system. Diseases are innumerable. This is because; causative factors cannot be
numbered so are the body’s responses to these. Diseases actually are the response to the inadaptable
circumstances. Individual body varies in responses. So the remedy also needs variety. Ayurveda looks for
a corresponding remedy from the nature and this signifies the diversity of biota.
Plants and animals are classified severally in Ayurveda. Their habitat in different geographical locations
(desa) is a basis for the classification. The properties are dependent upon the habitat (desa) like jaangala
and anoopa. Jaangala is the area where water resources are limited and anoopa is the opposite. The
biota is also classified according to the bodily effects they produce. All these reflect that Ayurveda could
identify BD and its implications.

2
This ancient wisdom also could recognize the fragile nature of BD. Ayurveda advocates the restricted
and appropriate use of medicinal plants. Susruta asserts that drugs for the use in an individual must be
those available in his/her surrounding. These are more habituated to him/her. Removing rare and nearly
extinct plants from the drug formulary is the strategy of Ayurveda[4]. The ideation of abhaava-varga
(group of drugs for substitution) also is a step towards the conservation of BD.
Perhaps the idea of conserving plants was put into our tradition by Ayurvdea. Healing property of some
plants is attributed to divinity so that religion and other belief systems should take over the
responsibility to care them. The concept of nakshatra-vrksha is an example. According to this, one has
the duty of protecting and propagating a plant related to her/his birth star. Several plants are used in
rituals. Kaavu or sacred grove is another wonderful system still prevailing to some extent in Kerala. All
these also reflect the cultural implications of BD. Changes in the value systems eroded such traditions.
Actually these have to be revived in a refined way.
An exploration into plant diversity also opens the scope of identifying more herbs of varied properties.
This can be a solution for emerging conditions of ill health. Inputs from folklore or ethno-medicine can
provide leads to this. But entry of these findings to Ayurvedic drug formulary is not easy due to several
legal issues. Both the regulatory authorities and Ayurvedic fraternity should find standard methods to
interpret the newer herbs in Ayurvedic perspective and legalize their use as medicine. As the demand
created by the traditional medicine has caused overexploitation of medicinal plants it the responsibility
of the stake holders to address the issues related to BD. There has to be some system to ensure the
appropriate use of medicinal plants.
There are abundant scope for incorporating to Ayurveda the current scientific methods to conserve BD.
Scientific agronomical practices, organic cultivation, scientific clinical practices, search for substitute
plants, bio-technology are some of them. More researches in these multidisciplinary areas will be quite
productive.
References-
[1] https://www.unesco.pl/fileadmin/user_upload/pdf/BIODIVERSITY_FACTSHEET.pdf
[2] Ashtaangasamagraha Sutrastaana chapter 3
[3] Charakasamhitha Sareera 5/3
[4] Ashtaangahrdaya Uttarastaana 39/179