Jaipur: The Central University of Rajasthan is preparing to take a closer, more scientific look at the Aravalli hills—this time through the lens of medicinal plant diversity.After receiving approval from the National Medicinal Plants Board, the university will begin a detailed mapping project across the Ajmer Aravalli belt, using tools like GIS, remote sensing and GPS to understand where key plant species grow and how they can be protected.The idea is simple but important: document what exists before it starts disappearing.Early field observations already point to a rich presence of medicinal plants in the region’s hills and valleys. Researchers have come across species such as Tinospora cordifolia, Withania somnifera, Boerhavia diffusa, Achyranthes aspera, Evolvulus alsinoides and Hemidesmus indicus—plants that local communities have relied on for generations to treat everything from fevers to digestive and respiratory issues.The Aravalli range, one of the oldest in the world, is more than just a geological landmark—it quietly supports a wide range of biodiversity and traditional knowledge systems that are still very much alive in villages around Ajmer.Prof L K Sharma at the department of environmental science, CURaj, who will lead the project, says the urgency is real.“The Aravalli hills are under increasing pressure—from mining, land-use changes and environmental degradation. If we don’t document and understand this biodiversity now, we risk losing it,” Sharma said.“This study will help us identify sensitive zones, protect native vegetation, and build a scientific base for conservation. At the same time, it allows us to connect traditional knowledge with modern research so that these plants can be used sustainably.”The project aims to create a detailed inventory of medicinal plants, identify areas where they are concentrated, and flag species that may be at risk. Over time, this data could guide conservation planning, sustainable harvesting, and even cultivation efforts.For researchers, practitioners of traditional medicine, and local communities alike, the outcome could be significant.Because in regions like the Aravallis, conservation is not just about protecting plants—it is about preserving a living ecosystem and the knowledge that comes with it.
