Why is the Himalayan Yew in trouble?
Ans.
1. The Himalayan Yew, locally known as the Thuner is a medicinal plant. Its biological name is Texus wallachiana.
2. It is found in certain parts of Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh.
3. This wonder plant has a chemical compound taxol which is extracted from its twigs, roots, bark and needles. This chemical is used to manufacture a drug which is used to manufacture a drug which is the largest anti-cancer drug in the world today
4. Over the past 10 years this plant has been over-exploited resulting in drying up of trees which could have survived and served their use for more years.