Medicinal & Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods
World Wildlife Day 2026 highlights the critical role of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) in supporting health, biodiversity, and livelihoods. Across many communities, these plants are essential for healthcare, food security, and income generation, while also contributing to resilient ecosystems.
Strengthening sustainable value chains for MAPs creates opportunities for conservation-linked livelihoods, ecotourism, and wildlife-based economies. Protecting these plants therefore means protecting both nature and the people who depend on them.
The Traditional Medicine in Transition research project aligns closely with this global focus. Our work documents and shares knowledge on traditional medicine, demonstrating the deep connection between plants, culture, and conservation. Through our mobile museum exhibition, we continue to create space for dialogue, learning, and reflection.
Safeguarding medicinal plants is not only about conserving species — it is about sustaining health systems, preserving cultural heritage, and strengthening community livelihoods for generations to come.
