Smuggling of endangered plant species Guggul under scanner
The Guggul plant, on the verge of extinction both in the state and worldwide, has emerged as the prime target of a sophisticated smuggling ring. In Rajasthan, where the Guggul population is rapidly dwindling, a recent investigation by the forest department has uncovered shocking revelations about a smuggling network exploiting the gum from these plants, with connections extending all the way to the southern parts of the country.
Experts describe Guggul as a small to medium-sized tree from the Burseraceae family, native to arid regions like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. Its distinctive appearance includes a gnarled trunk, small leaves, and thorny branches. The resin and gum extracted from its bark are known for their unique fragrance and medicinal properties, extensively used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat various ailments such as arthritis, obesity, and cholesterol-related disorders.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2014 stated that Guggul has experienced an alarming 80% decline in its wild population during a span of 84 years due to habitat loss, degradation, unregulated harvesting, and resin tapping, resulting in its classification as “critically endangered”.
On April 25, based on confidential information, the forest department seized Guggul gum weighing five quintals from a vehicle on the Sikar-Kotputli road. Seven people were arrested for smuggling, and the forest department registered a case under various sections of the Rajasthan Forest Act and Biodiversity Act. Forest officials believe this is the first case of organized smuggling and indiscriminate exploitation of a critically endangered species in the state.
According to Range forest officer Satpal Dhilan, “The accused confessed that they were taking the Guggal gum to Dholpur, where Devendra Singh and Srikant were supposed to receive it. The mobile location of the person receiving the delivery was traced to Kerala. It has also come to light that Guggal gum was smuggled last year, but this time the attempt was not successful.” Another official familiar with the investigation highlighted that the accused had exploited the gum from naturally growing Guggal plants in the forests of Karjo forest block, within the Patan forest range.
Environmentalists estimate that for the amount of gum seized, three to four thousand plants would have been tapped. Given the use of chemically coated knives, the survival chances of these plants are minimal. They question how smugglers could operate on such a large scale without being caught.
Sikar deputy conservator of forests Ramavatar Doodwal admitted that the field staff could not detect the exploitation of gum. He also expressed apprehension that there could be connivance of local people in this. Patrolling has now been increased, he added.
DP Jagawat, Deputy conservator of forests in the area where the Guggal gum was recovered, mentioned that this is likely the first such action in the state. This will send a strong message to those involved in smuggling. We have initiated the legal process for confiscating the vehicle. The gum was intended for supply to South India.
Former principal scientist of the Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Dr. Suresh Kumar, expressed concern over unsustainable extraction rates and faulty methods contributing to Guggul’s decline. He cited habitat loss, grazing, and browsing as major threats. Traditional extraction methods, coupled with overexploitation, have further decimated the species.
“The oleo gum-resin of the plant is collected by tribal people using the traditional method. They give several deep incisions on the stem to get maximum yield and also apply a paste which is fatal to the plant. From a healthy plant, 50 to 200 grams of gum can be extracted using scientific techniques, but if exploited indiscriminately, the plant will not be able to survive,” Dr Kumar said.
Head of the department of zoology at Seth Gyaniram Bansidhar Podar College, Jhunjhunu, Dr Dau Lal Bohra, highlighted the sluggish forest monitoring during summers, exploited by smugglers. He recalled a similar incident three
years ago near Kot Dam Udaipurwati, underscoring the need for stricter forest management. Despite smugglers earning relatively low profits from gum exploitation, the herbal industry gains substantially from valueadded products, exacerbating the situation.
Legal lapses and the battle for Guggul’s survival
The lack of stringent legal protection is also a major reason for the failure to protect and preserve the critically endangered Guggul plants, which are rapidly being destroyed due to the demand for their gum. Due to the absence of strict penal provisions, those who exploit gum from Guggul in an unscientific manner are pushing it towards untimely death. Consequently, areas in the state where Guggul was once naturally found now appear as barren rocky landscapes, according to an expert.
Under the Rajasthan Forest Act, there is a provision for a maximum punishment of six months for the crime of cutting or damaging trees growing on forest land. This provision is applicable to the critically endangered species Guggul and other forest resources.
“An important medicinal plant like Guggul is not separately scheduled in the Act for protection. This is also one of the reasons why people engaged in illegal gum exploitation from Guggul do it without any fear,” retired principal chief conservator of forests Bharat Taimni said.
Although the state government had imposed a complete ban on the extraction and collection of gum from all gum-bearing plants on May 21, 2012, smugglers still exploited gum from Guggul plants growing in a large part of the Karjo forest block and no one was even aware of this.
A forest officer, on the condition of anonymity, said that the Rajasthan Forest Act provides for the same punishment whether one tree is cut or a thousand trees are cut. This is the reason why Guggul, like other forest resources, is an easy prey for smugglers.
It is important to note that apart from the IUCN Red List, Guggul has also been found to be critically endangered in the assessment of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI). Dr. CS Purohit, Deputy Director of BSI’s Arid Zone Regional Centre, Jodhpur, said, “Guggul has also been included as critically endangered in the threatened plants of India list.”
A high-ranking forest official said that efforts could have been made for the conservation of Guggul if it had been notified under the Biodiversity Act, but with the amendments made to the Act coming into effect from April 1, 2024, any offence under it would now no longer a nonbailable and cognizable offence.
A report by the Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI) submitted to the state forest department in 2014 on the assessment of Guggul germplasm had expressed apprehension that this species is dioecious and produces a male plant and a female plant. Guggul has adopted an apomixis mechanism due to the extinction of male plants in the population.
Major portion of female plants are producing seeds without fertilization and producing copies of the same genotypes. This situation will definitely reduce the gene pool of this valuable medicinal plant resource.