On the Brink extinction 5: Himalayan Yew

Himalayan Yew

Taxus wallichiana

BEST SEEN AT: Nanda Devi National Park, Uttarakhand
STATUS: Data deficient
GOOD TO KNOW: Its bark is used as a cancer cure. It takes six trees to produce one dose

WHEREVER IT LIVES, the yew is considered a sacred elixir, with reason. Found in India’s alpine regions, the bark, and leaves, of this Himalayan tree soothes headaches, calms nerves, serves as aphrodisiacs, and heals snake bites. It has been used in Unani medicine. Recently, researchers discovered that the yew could treat cancers, particularly ovarian and breast cancer. The most widely-used cancer drug, Paclitaxel, is derived from its bark, leaves and twigs. It takes about six trees to produce one dose, resulting in the wild yew’s decimation. Limited, monitored harvesting is allowed, but the huge market, and spiralling prices, have nurtured a black market, and pushed the World Conservation Union to sound an alert about their status. In parts of China, 80 percent of yew forests have been destroyed. In India, the story is the same; most of the produce is smuggled to China. These trees are our ancients, some over 1,000 years old — and as we hack them to an early death, let’s remember that by killing them, we sign our death warrant.

PRERNA SINGH BINDRA