Keri: Mappia foetida, locally known as Guvado or Narakya, a shrub valued for its medicinal properties, has been destroyed in many parts of Sattari.About two decades ago, villagers from forested areas of Goa and Karnataka were drawn into the illegal trade of Narakya leaves due to their medicinal demand. Subsequent strict action by forest officials in Maharashtra and Karnataka curbed smuggling and imposed restrictions on the trade.Presently, the shrubs are found in many parts of Sattari, but they are uprooted because they are considered useless.Asavari Kulkarni, a botany postgraduate from Honda, Sattari, said Narkya, also known as Amruta, is one of the most important shrubs that are found in the Western Ghats.“The shrub is known for medicinal properties and hence is facing threat of illegal trade. Govt should mark such species as scheduled and prevent it from being stolen from its natural habitat. We often protect wildlife with schedules but important plant species are neglected from such protection,” she said.This year, the shrub has shown early flowering, and when in bloom it emits a foul smell.
