Supplies of wild American ginseng - the precious root so popular in Hong Kong - may be under threat, conservationists say. Over-production of the cultivated root, combined with the local economic downturn, has led to a fall in prices in Hong Kong.
The World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong released a study into the dangers facing the precious healthgiving plant. Author Chris Robbins claims there is a shortfall in the management of the ginseng trade, which may lead to depletion of the source.
The report states that logging and the spread of suburban development could threaten the habitat of wild ginseng in America. Overharvest adds to the danger. WWFHK spokeswoman Judy Mills said: "A lot of people think of rhinos, tigers and bears when they think of endangered species used in traditional Chinese medicine - but many rare plants are also used." Traditional Chinese medicine trader Chun Kwong-shing, who runs the Tai Wai Native Products Company, has been trading in Hong Kong for 30 years and has this year seen a decline in demand. The wholesale price per pound of wild American ginseng two years ago was US$500 (HK$3,900), while now it is only US$300. Lower prices have increased demand in spite of the hard times.
The conservation group has suggested setting up a conservation trust fund through donations from the sale of American ginseng products, and conserving wild- ginseng habitats in North America. Hong Kong imports 2,500 tonnes of cultivated and 47 tonnes of wild American ginseng annually. North America is the major source of ginseng imported into Hong Kong. There is currently a ban on exports of wild ginseng from New York state and Canada where over-picking has led to scarcity. Ms Mills claims illegal shipments from these areas are further damaging supplies. But according to Cheung Chi-sun, endangered-species protection officer for the Agricultural and Fisheries Department, there is no significant increase in illegal imports.
"It is usually just individdual travellers bringing back a few ounces of ginseng ." Wild American ginseng grows predominantly in the northeastern US and Canada, while the cultivated version is found mostly in Wisconsin.
BY : Valerie Bolcina
SOURCE : Hongkong Standard
1998. 06.
|
Newsdesk