Consider the following statements about Himalayan trillium: 1. The Himalayan trillium, a common herb of the Himalayas was declared ‘vulnerable’ by the IUCN. 2. The herb has numerous uses for human beings thus inviting people to utilize it, paving way for overutilization. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Option 2 : 2 only

The correct answer is 2 only.

In News

• ​The Himalayan trillium (Trillium govanianum), a common herb of the Himalayas was declared ‘endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) last week. Hence, Statement 1 is NOT correct.

• In recent years, the plant has become one of the most traded commercial plants of the Himalayan region, due to its high medicinal quality.
• It is found in temperate and sub-alpine zones of the Himalayas, at an altitude from 2,400-4,000 metres above sea level.
• Their existence has also been traced across India, Bhutan, Nepal, China, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• In India, it is found in four states only- Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand.
• Often called Nagchatri, in local areas this herb grows to a height of 15-20 cm.

• Recent experiments have shown that the rhizome of the herb is a source of steroidal saponins and can be used as an anti-cancer and anti-ageing agent.