Karnataka’s coast holds key to cancer treatment, says former forest officer

MANGALURU: The coastal belt of Karnataka is home to three herbs considered crucial for the treatment of

cancer

, according to a former forest officer.


Arasina balli, Chakraani balli and durnaatada gida are being greatly used in treating various cancers but are of little knowledge to the natives, Uchaiah, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), said.

Raising a serious allegation, he said pharmaceutical companies have been smuggling these herbs since several years but there is little or no information about the scam as the locals are not acquainted with these herbs with magical powers.

Likewise, Pashana Bedi, commonly found here, is an effective remedy for kidney stones, but little is known to the locals, he lamented.

His statement came while stressing the need to documenting such herbs in order to stop what he called biopiracy. He was addressing representatives from the panchayats during a seminar on the role of Biodiversity Management Committee in

Dakshina Kannada

in protecting and creating awareness on such plants.

He emphasised on the strict enforcement of the Biological Diversity Act which intends at conservation of resources, sustainable maintenance of these resources and equitable sharing in addition to their judicious use.

He said the panchayat members had enormous powers under Biodiversity Management Committee protecting the natural resources and urged them to exercise their rights. Uchaiah also explained them various sections of the Act that assured them enough safeguards against anti elements.