Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The illegal trade of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) threatens biodiversity, local economy, and traditional knowledge systems worldwide.Many MAP species are threatened by unsustainable harvesting due to herbal remedy demand.This paper explores illegal MAPs collection and trade in Latin America, Africa, and South Asia, where MAP-rich ecosystems are depleting.Certain species' high market value, rural economic difficulties, and organised crime syndicates are key drivers.The environmental and social repercussions are severe, destroying biodiversity, ecosystems, and indigenous cultures.This paper examines CITES and CBD, revealing enforcement and intergovernmental collaboration shortcomings.Criminal networks use corrupt institutions and weak rules to evade law enforcement.Judicial examples show the necessity for tougher punishments and legal professional knowledge.
Author: Sonakshi Varshney
Institution: Amity University
Language: English
Subfield: Nature and Landscape Conservation
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4411830429