Itanagar: Ruling BJP legislator Tatung Jamoh on Thursday raised the issue of smuggling of Paris polyphylla in the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly. The rare medicinal plant is found in several districts of the state.

During a call attention motion, Jamoh requested the state government to take adequate steps to prevent smuggling of the rare medicinal plant which is enlisted as "rare endangered and threatened species" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Jamoh said the plant, locally known as " kala kochu", is illegally collected from various districts of the state and the smugglers charge Rs 4,000-Rs 5,000 a kg.

"Smuggling of the plant by people from outside the state has led to law-and-order problem in various parts with reports of murder in Upper Siang district in recent times," Jamoh said and urged the government to work out modalities to stop the menace.

Paris polyphylla is a member of the family of Melanthiaceae (earlier Trilliaceae or Liliaceae) and known to have many medicinal properties like anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-tumor, cytotoxicity, among others.

Responding to the motion, environment and forest minister Nabam Rebia said the matter was discussed in the last meeting of State Board for Wildlife and also in a meeting convened by chief minister Pema Khandu on May 24 this year with forest officials of the state.

"As the plant is vulnerable, the department cannot fix royalty of this medicinal plant and allow extraction of naturally-growing stock. A committee has been constituted on August 21 to formulate guidelines and modalities for cultivation, harvesting and commercialisation of important medicinal plants, including Paris Pollyphylla. Cultivation of this species will meet market requirement and reduce pressure on naturally growing plants," he added. Rebia said required more forest protection throughout the state was very difficult with limited manpower.

"According to our sanctioned strength of frontline staff, one employee has to cover 39 square km. The department has a shortfall of over 158 frontline staff which need to be filled up on priority. However, the chief minister has agreed in principle to create 200 posts of forest guards to beef up protection," he said.

The minister added that a proposal had been submitted to the department of administrative reforms and after obtaining necessary approval from all concerned, a cabinet note would be prepared and placed before the government for creation of 200 posts. PTI