Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is a treaty that was entered into force in 1973 to protect endangered species of plants and animals regarding to threats from international trade. It ensures that the trade doesn’t threaten the survival of species. At the 68th session of United Nations Assembly on 20th December 2013, UN decided to signify 3rd March as adoption of CITES, to be celebrated as United Nations World Wildlife Day (WWD).

Every year people around the world celebrate World Wildlife Day on 3rd March to acknowledge the inborn value of wildlife and its various contributions, including ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic to sustainable development and human well-being. The day is celebrated to recognize the unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and planet.

The theme of UNWWD 2026 is Medicinal and Aromatic Plants; Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods showcasing the significance of these plants. Medicinal and aromatic plants are humanity’s oldest healthcare system that have been sustaining communities. This is a traditional knowledge that has been passed through generations. This day is not limited to plants but a rough estimated of about 10% of trees (about 6000 species) also have medicinal and aromatic uses.

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are plants of whose leaves, seeds, roots, and any part of it can be used for therapeutic, nutraceutical, fragrant, tonic and culinary purposes. Globally, 60,000 plant species are estimated to be used for medicinal purposes. In today’s world, 25% of pharmaceuticals depends on these plants. CITES regulates 800 MAP species. The significance includes:

      Treat diseases while giving a long lasting and safer alternative to modern medicine

  • Provide essential oils
  • Used as spices, herbs and teas
  • Used as raw material to make medicine
  • Essential for sustainable agriculture
  • Provide livelihood to local and rural communities
  • Used in Unani and Ayurveda medicines
  • Used in cosmetics
  • Producing scent and fragrances

IUCN Red List has declared that 90% of medicinal and aromatic species are considered to be at threat from extinction as 60-90% of these plant’s species traded are collected from wild. So, we need to protect global health by maintaining biodiversity of MAPs, preserving indigenous knowledge, and supporting livelihoods. The conservation methods to protect Health, Heritage and Livelihoods can include using either In-situ or Ex-situ conservation enhancing with sustainable cultivation practices to conserve MAPs.

In Pakistan, Unani system of medicinal plants exists that dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization and today it is and an essential source of healthcare and employment. Pakistan has rich ecological zones, due to which there are about 3000 medicinal plants in Pakistan that are about 50% of plants around the world. This means that Pakistan has high diversity of MAP species. Unsustainable levels of harvesting, grazing by livestock, and climatic events such as flooding and earthquakes has posed threats to wild populations of MAPS. Examples of MAP species native to Pakistan and their status is given as following:

  • Himalayan lily (Lilium polyphyllum) is critically endangered is used to treat respiratory issues (cough, bronchitis), joint pain, and skin inflammation.
  • Violet Monkshood (Aconitum violaceum) is used to treat snake and scorpion bites and is vulnerable to extinction in Pakistan.
  • Himalayan yew (Taxus wallichiana) is endangered due to over exploitation and is used to treat cancer.
  • Indian belladonna (Atropa acuminate) is used to treat pain and rheumatism and is vulnerable due to deforestation.

The strategies to conserve these species in Pakistan can include long-term conservation of seeds with a safe duplicate collection at a seed bank.

About the Author: Zainab Shahzad is a passionate Environmental Scientist (MS) and community advocate committed to translating scientific knowledge into meaningful and sustainable action. As President of the Environmental Protection Society, she has spearheaded initiatives in environmental conservation and public education, mobilizing communities through large-scale clean-up campaigns, facilitating sustainability workshops, and designing public awareness campaigns that promote lasting behavioural change.