Committee Member Lei Jufang: Insights Gained from a Single Handbook on Tibetan Medicine

　　●Green trade refers to the cyclical development of local resources based on the recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights to utilize local ecological resources for their survival and development.

　　●The protective development of Tibetan medicinal plant resources cannot rely solely on the efforts of a few enterprises. The sustainable utilization practices for medicinal and aromatic plants adopted by our neighboring country, Nepal, are worth learning from.

　　●Ethnic medicine serves as a bridge connecting both cultural and economic dimensions, and it clearly has the potential to boost local economic development. However, a crucial prerequisite is that its development must never be divorced from the cultural and social context in which it is rooted.

　　Blue skies, high plateaus, snow lotuses... More and more people are captivated by the mystique of the snowy plateau, and an increasing number of people are becoming familiar with and enthusiastic about Tibetan medicine. Indeed, many foreigners would rather queue for a whole month just to enjoy a few Tibetan medicinal baths.

　　However, this has also given rise to a host of challenges in the development of Tibetan medicine—such as issues related to the intensity, scale, and approach of its development. As a result, many professionals dedicated to the preservation and advancement of Tibetan medicine have begun engaging in profound reflection. Lei Jufang, Chairwoman of Qizheng Tibetan Medicine, is one such individual. As early as the 1990s, Lei Jufang put forward some forward-looking ideas on the protective development of Tibetan medicine. In 1996, Qizheng Tibetan Medicine established a base for the conservation and research of wild Tibetan medicinal herbs in the Linzhi region of Tibet. Yet she believes that relying solely on the efforts of a few enterprises is insufficient for the protective development of Tibetan medicinal resources. The neighboring country of Nepal offers an inspiring example with its sustainable approach to the utilization of medicinal and aromatic plants; we should draw upon their experience and adopt a green trade model to ensure the sustainable development of Tibetan medicine.

　　Tibet also needs a green trade manual for herbal medicines.

　　My understanding of green trade began with a handbook that Lei Jufang came across—a report prepared by the United Nations Environment Programme and several other international environmental organizations for Nepal’s medicinal and aromatic plants. As is well known, Nepal’s spices are world-famous; yet this report emphasizes that trade in medicinal plants—including aromatic ones—should be carefully monitored and curbed to prevent and mitigate threats to people’s living environments and their physical health, while also promoting the sustainable development of trade practices.

　　“This kind of recommendation stems from the researchers’ deep immersion in the living conditions of local residents, who recognize the indigenous people’s right to utilize local ecological resources for their survival and development. Often, international green organizations, when addressing regions with fragile ecosystems, tend to focus more on criticism or appeals. But this report is different—its researchers hope to help local residents through the green trade in herbs and spices, especially aiming to empower women and children by providing them with income and lifting them out of poverty,” said Lei Jufang. She added that when she first came across this concept, she was “extremely surprised.”

　　Although both Nepal and Tibet are located in the Himalayan region and share similar ecological environments as well as cultural, religious, and spiritual beliefs, Nepal’s overall level of economic development lags far behind that of Tibet—especially when it comes to infrastructure. Even so, this country has not exploited its existing herbal and spice resources in a manner that depletes them entirely. For instance, in certain regions of the country, you’ll often see herbs, flowers, and fruits growing luxuriantly—this is because the local authorities encourage their natural growth rather than immediately harvesting them.

　　Therefore, Lei Jufang hopes that “on the Tibetan side of the Himalayas, we could also establish a high-level institution—including relevant Chinese organizations, the United Nations Environment Programme, and other internationally renowned biodiversity organizations—that would produce an objective and authoritative report on Tibetan medicinal plants (including crops). This report would simply present the true state of Tibetan medicine in an objective manner, without drawing arbitrary conclusions about whether its development should be restricted or completely liberalized.”

　　If something has no value, it won’t attract attention; and if it doesn’t attract attention, it’ll be even less likely to receive protection.

　　Regarding the green trade of Tibetan medicine specifically, Lei Jufang believes that this represents a mechanism that can serve as an alternative to mining development.

　　For a long time, mining has been one of the important ways to promote Tibet’s economic development. However, although mining can rapidly boost regional economic growth, it is not a sustainable approach and causes significant damage to the ecological environment.

　　Plant crops, on the other hand, grow year after year. If we fail to make use of them, it won't bring any benefit to the environment at all. After all, if something isn't utilized, it has no value; without value, it won't attract attention; and without attention, of course, there'll be even less protection. It's just like dressing up a beautiful girl—naturally, her attractiveness will draw more attention. Yet, the act of dressing her up itself won't cause any harm to the girl.

　　However, at present, some “expert voices” that lack objectivity are influencing the development of Tibetan medicine to varying degrees.

　　“Once, a very senior expert publicly stated that the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau shouldn’t be involved in the development of Tibetan medicine at all—but rather, the entire region should be completely closed off to protect its fragile ecological environment. The reason such expert opinions are voiced is that these experts have never actually set foot in Tibetan areas for on-site investigations, nor have they truly reflected on how to harness local resources in a way that helps local residents escape poverty and improve their living conditions. This ‘unrealistic’ viewpoint frequently appears in the media, and Lei Jufang has become accustomed to it. Yet precisely because of this, she feels deeply concerned about the future development of Tibetan medicine.”

　　“Certainly, some Tibetan medicines are not suitable for development—but this requires data to back it up. For example, which ones aren’t suitable for development? What’s their growing area? How long is their growth cycle? And what will be the consequences if they’re developed? This conclusion shouldn’t be based on mere assumptions; rather, it should stem from field studies and multi-faceted research,” Lei Jufang emphasized.

　　As the intellectual culmination of a region’s culture, traditional ethnic medicine serves as a vital link between humanistic values and economic development. Clearly, this can help boost local economic growth—but a crucial prerequisite must be emphasized: its development must never, under any circumstances, be divorced from the cultural and social context in which it is rooted. This “soil” refers to the aspirations held deep within the hearts of local communities, as well as the tangible changes they experience in their daily lives. “If the development of traditional ethnic medicine were to lose touch with this ‘soil,’ it would inevitably degenerate into a mere commercial capital game—a path that clearly wouldn’t lead very far.”

　　When demand increases, it can lead to overexploitation and excessive mining.

　　Therefore, the development of Tibetan medicine requires a “return”—a return to the genuine aspirations of the region’s people. This is precisely the foundation upon which Tibetan medicine depends for its survival. And since this foundation lies right here, every flower, fruit, and leaf of each medicinal herb in this region should contribute to the region’s growth—including its wealth.

　　“Therefore, we urgently need a manual similar to the Nepal Herbal Green Trade Handbook—a handbook that includes a clear inventory specifying which herbs can be traded, which ones can be encouraged for trade, which ones have restricted development, and which ones are outright prohibited from development.”

　　“As for resources with certain reserves—such as cordyceps—it is perfectly acceptable to use them for trade. However, we should strictly limit the exploitation of snow lotus. Snow lotus is a plant that reproduces via seeds and has very particular habitat requirements; its yield is extremely low. Typically, collectors uproot the entire plant, leaving it with no chance even to flower and produce seeds—a practice that is utterly devastating for the snow lotus. Take, for example, certain other medicinal herbs that are traditionally harvested and used by Tibetan communities according to their time-honored practices. Such herbs are often suited only to local people. For these kinds of herbs, local governments should enact specific regulations to restrict their large-scale export beyond the region, because increased demand can easily lead to overharvesting and indiscriminate digging. On the other hand, for those medicinal herbs that have great potential for large-scale development, we should actively encourage their cultivation and exploitation,” suggested Lei Jufang.

　　News Source: People's Political Consultative Conference Daily

　　Website: http://www.rmzxb.com.cn/xywy/wyjt/2015/01/07/428300.shtml