Abstract

Rattans are distributed mainly in three geographic regions in India, Peninsular India, North Eastern States and Andaman and Nicobar islands. So far 21 species have been identified from S. India 18 from Andaman and Nicobar islands and 16 from North Eastern States. Out of these only 25 are commercially important. Even though natural population are being depleted at a fast rate, not much effort has been taken for the conservation of this groups of plants. Seed stands and germplasm preservation plots raised by Kerala Forest Research Institute save as ex situ conservation plots. Sacred groves seen in Kerala also serve the purpose of conservation. In this paper the species available in India, their commercial importance, their status of conservation and details of ex situ conservation plots are given in detail