India, South Africa Unite on Protecting Endangered Medicinal Plants

India and South Africa are strengthening their partnership to address the growing crisis facing medicinal plants, with officials from both countries highlighting shared concerns about biodiversity loss and unsustainable harvesting practices. Speaking at a symposium in Durban over the weekend, South African Deputy Minister Narend Singh emphasized the urgent need to protect natural resources for future generations.

The event, organized by the Indian consulate in Durban, brought together specialists in traditional medicine systems including Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. Singh warned that urban demand for medicinal plants has exceeded wild supply capacity, while climate change, drought, poverty and illegal trade compound the pressure on these resources.

According to South Africa's 2024 red list of endangered plants, 154 medicinal plant species commonly used in traditional practices now face extinction. Of the country's roughly 262 indigenous plant species used in traditional medicine—representing about one-tenth of its total flora—many are under severe threat from irresponsible harvesting methods.

India's Deputy High Commissioner Banu Prakash noted South Africa's rich tradition of herbal products while advocating for increased cultivation of species relevant to Ayurvedic medicine. Officials from both nations stressed that traditional and modern medicine systems should complement rather than compete with each other, particularly in advancing universal health coverage goals.