**12. Propagation**

*P. polyphylla* grows well in humus-rich moist soil in full or partial shade. Prolonged seed dormancy and slow germination is the real challenge for regeneration through seed. It is mainly propagated by rhizomes though propagation by seed is also possible. Hence rhizomes from the wild are the only source for propagation as well as for medicinal purposes. Slow regeneration, long dormancy period, slow growth period along with over exploitation are the main reasons for decline in the population of *P. polyphylla* in the wild. It is on the verge of extinction due to its excessive illegal collection for many years [15]. Moreover, this perennial plant can only be harvested after growing for 5–7 years, which aggravates the shortage of its resource [20].

To preserve this natural resource and ensure a stable and renewable source of *P. polyphylla* for medicinal purposes, successful propagation is imperative [21].

Paris polyphylla*: An Important Endangered Medicinal Plants of Himalayan Foothills DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.102920*

This calls for an urgent need to discover alternate resources from which the continuous supply can be obtained. Domestication of this plant and cultivation in large scale in those areas similar to natural habitat is the only solution to save this plant from extinction. Propagation by tissue culture is another prospective for the propagation and conservation of this endangered plant species.

### **13. Conservation**

*Paris polyphylla* Sm. (Satuwa) is one of the medicinal plants listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. Seed viability was found to be low and the seeds did not germinate in laboratory conditions even under different chemical treatments. The growth of the rhizome is very slow and takes almost a year to increase its node number. There seems to be a need for raising awareness amongst people living near the plant habitat on *Paris polyphylla* propagation. Scientists must make aware the sustainable use of the rhizome and its cultivation practice for the conservation of this plant. If some part of the rhizome containing the bud is left underground, the plant would become more sustainable and would help in conserving its population in the future. It was observed in a study done in Nepal, that overharvesting, unscientific collection of rhizomes, harvesting of plants before seed maturity, low viable seed production and long dormancy of seeds are some of the major threats to the plant's propagation. *Paris polyphylla* is considered to be a highly traded plant and have become less abundant in the past decade and this could be due to deforestation. It is found out that during the harvesting process, the whole plant is often uprooted to collect the rhizome, which leads to the destruction of the stock. During harvesting or collection from the wild the every plant is uprooted for its rhizomes irrespective of its maturity. This unsustainable harvesting practice, combined with illegal/cross-border trades of rhizome, and habitat destructions were common in their natural habitat. Old growth habitat decline and fragmentation were major threats to the population of *P. polyphylla.* Market driven collection resulted in rushed and premature collection and habitat degradation. Cultivation of the species coupled with *in-situ* conservation could be a solution to address the escalated herbal demand.

Local communities opined that the need of the risen market demand for its medicinal, biological and pharmaceutical purposes can be met once the *P. polyphylla* can be sustainably harvested and cultivated with the active involvement of local communities and application of sustainable harvesting guidelines. Works are progressed at College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, India for the conservation of this vulnerable species. Tissue cultured plants are produced in the laboratory from the rhizomes of *Paris polyphylla* collected from natural habitat. Then the tissue cultured plants are planted in the wild in their natural habitat or similar habitat so that it can grow and increases its population in nature without interference from human.

### **14. Conclusion**

*Paris polyphylla* is an important medicinal plants found in the North Eastern part of India which are threatened by the over exploitation and lack in cultivation efforts. This species have many medicinal properties for the treatment of many ailments. Due to their less population and availability these plants fetch a very good price in the market. Most of these plants are sold in the black market and due to its great demand the plants are collected or harvested injudiciously from the wild which push them towards threaten stage. *P. polyphylla* usually grows in high altitude and temperate region as forest understory. In natural habitat the propagation of this species takes much long time which also makes difficulty in propagation and multiplication in nature. Due to its great demand in the world market the species is collected from the wild injudiciously and causes the decline in population. This species comes under threatened species under IUCN. There is also a great demand in the market for this plant and many of which is met from cultivation. It's the need of the hour for the policy makers and scientist to frame policies and research work for the conservation of these two species before it is too late.
