Gangtok, May 5: Take a rolling valley, lace it with gurgling brooks, add sweeping vistas of majestic peaks and a generous sprinkling of exotic herbs. And voila: you have the first biodiversity park of the country dedicated to medicinal plants.

The State Biodiversity Park and Medicinal Plants’ Herbal Garden has been set up at Tendong in South Sikkim. The park is about 14 kilometres away from Namchi, the south district headquarters, and located close to the Temi tea garden.

Principal chief conservator of forests and secretary of the forest department T.R. Sharma said in a press release that the park would help conserve the natural wealth of the country besides maintaining environmental stability.

He further said that besides serving as a place to conserve the flora of the state’s sub-tropical and temperate zones, the park would also serve as a centre for nature education, awareness and recreation.

The park, located close to the state highway and easily accessible, is situated in a ridge between the two highest hills in the state — Maenam and Tendong —at an altitude between 1,400m and 2,050 m above sea level. Many streams run through the park area.

Spread over an area of 225 hectares, the park has groves of Walnut, Chestnut, Oak and Alder besides the medicinal plants. The place was a reserve forest before being declared as a park. Barking deer, flying squirrels and several types of birds are also found in the park.

According to statistics provided by the state forest department, Sikkim has 4,500 species of flowering plants and 424 species of medicinal plants and herbs.

As many as 515 varieties of orchids are also found in the state. The state is also home to 552 species of birds and 690 butterflies.

As many as 36 kinds of rhododendrons are also found in the state.

Rare medicinal plants like Ashwagandha, Atees, Chiraito, Chutro, Jatamasi, Kapisful, Kutki, Pipla, Sarpagandha, Satavari, Bikh Bojo, Pakhanbed, Vasak, Chimphing, Nagbeli, Panax and Papri are found in Sikkim.

The state government has been committed to the cause of conservation and propagation of medicinal plants, herbs in the state. Illegal harvesting and transportation of these medicinal plants are banned in the state. Anyone found violating the rules are fined and could be arrested.

The state government has identified 13 other areas to set up herbal gardens, which will be funded by government of India’s National Medicinal Plants Board.

The forest department has sought the support of people in its effort to conserve medicinal herbs. It is also encouraging commercial cultivation and farming of medicinal plants by training people.

Panchayats have also been asked to record the different species of herbs found in their areas. The process of preparing medicines is also being protected under the Intellectual Property Rights. Legal action is also being taken to check illegal extraction of medicines and their sale.