Status of medicinal and aromatic plants in - Inia

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WORKING GROUP ON MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS: FIRST MEETING
- In situ conservation
Within the framework of a Bulgarian/Swiss Biodiversity Conservation Programme (BSBCP)
project, a programme for in situ conservation was implemented. Ecogeographic
investigations in the Kaliakra nature reserve and the habitats of Adonis vernalis and Paeonia
tenuifolia were conducted. During the 5-year investigation period, information about the
status of populations was collected (Varbanova et al. 1998, 2001). Databases for the
biodiversity in the Kaliakra nature reserve and its adjacent territories were created and a
management plan was developed (Angelova and Varbanova 2002).
Use and trade
Herb collecting in Bulgaria has long-established traditions (Mladenova 2000). Bulgarian
medicinal plants are considered to be among the highest quality plants in the world owing to
the specific soil and climatic conditions. Annually, from 12 000 to 15 000 tonnes of herbs are
collected and processed in the country. Wild plants account for 70% of the total herb
production while 30% are cultivated; 60-70% of the MAPs collected are intended for export,
the other 30-40% remaining in the country as raw material for pharmaceutical and cosmetic
industries, for the preparation of medicated and common teas, spices, etc. Of the wild plant
species, the largest quantities exported are of Mentha sp., Melissa officinalis, Lavandula vera,
Hypericum perforatum, Matricaria chamomilla, Lamium album, Rosa canina, Tilia sp. Bulgaria is
one of the biggest MAP exporters in Europe, Germany being the major consumer. Recently,
exports to Italy and Spain have also increased.
Conclusion
The great MAP diversity in Bulgaria, the traditions and the trade activities for MAP
collecting determine the main priorities in the conservation of MAP genetic resources:
• Effective legislative protection at the national level;
• Clear strategy of IPGR for MAP collecting, study and conservation;
• Coordinated activities and interrelations of IPGR as a national coordinator with related
institutions, research institutes, NGOs, etc.;
• International collaboration, established and enriched through projects and
programmes;
• Development of a database and participation in research on biodiversity conservation
(Angelova et al. 1996; Angelova and Varbanova 2002).
References
Angelova, S., E. Ivanova, Zh. Spiridonov, R. Koeva, M. Michailov and K. Varbanova. 1996. Interaction
between agriculture and nature conservation in Bulgaria. Bulgarian Swiss Biodiversity
Conservation Programme (BSBCP), Sofia, Bulgaria.
Angelova, S. and K. Varbanova. 2002. Plan for managing the Kaliakra nature reserve. Ministry of
Environment and Water, BSBCP, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Angelova, S., K. Varbanova, I. Peeva, Y. Guteva and D. Dimitrova. 1994. Cultivation of medicinal
plants from the wild flora in Bulgaria - possibilities and prospects. Journal of Herbs, Spices and
Medicinal Plants 2(2):3-8.
Bondev, I. 1995. Flora and Medicine. Pp. 9-10 in Chorological atlas of medicinal plants in Bulgaria.
Academic Publishing House "Prof. Marin Drinov", Sofia, Bulgaria.
Dimitrova, D. and K. Varbanova. 1995. Characteristics of the development of Althaea officinalis L. in
field conditions. Scientific Works of the Higher Agricultural Institute, Plovdiv 40(1):267-269.
Dimitrova, D., K. Varbanova and L. Evstatieva. 1996. Possibilities for in vitro propagation of Atropa
belladonna. Pp. 385-388 in Proceedings of the Second Balkan Scientific Conference on Investigation,
Conservation and Use of Forest Resources, 3-5 June 1996, Sofia. Vol. 1. PSSA, Sofia, Bulgaria.