A rare medicinal herb worth over Rs 3 lakhs was seized while it was being smuggled from Doda district, a forest official said Sunday.
During an operation on Saturday night at Padri meadow oninterstate Bhaderwah-Chamba road, connecting Doda with neighbouring HimachalPradesh, 500 kg of ‘Bergenia Ciliata’ locally known as ‘Zakhm-e-Hayat’ wasseized, a senior forest department official said.
He said the alleged smugglers managed to escape.
Divisional Forest Officer in Bhaderwah Chander Shekar saidthe recovery is worth Rs 3.50 lakh in local market and the endangered herb wasbeing illegally transported to the Chamba town of Himachal Pradesh on mules.
The smugglers hail from Thanhala village and will be bookedfor violation of Section 6 of Jammu and Kashmir Forest Act 1987, he said.
The rare herb is found in the altitude of 2,500 to 3,800meter in Himalayan region. Its root is believed to be used to treat kidneystones, crystalluria and renal failure, vertigo and headache, the officialsaid.The plant, reportedly is in high demand in Chinaand Nepal and also acts as astringent, tonic and has anti-inflammatory effectand is applied as poultice for stiff joints, boils, abscesses and skininfections.