47 The  objective  of  the  project  is  to  evaluate  selected  medicinal  plants  for their  suitability  for  growing  in  semi - arid  rain  shadow  regions  of  the Western Ghats of Tamilnadu and production of quality planting materials. The  financial  outlay  of  the  project  is  Rs  10.00  lakhs  (Rupees Ten  Lakhs only)  for  a  period  of  three  years.  The  project  is  in  the  third  year  of operation.  A  collection  of  130  medicinal  plants  were  made  which included  14  plants  prioritized  by  the  NMPB.  Some  of  the  promising medicinal  plants  suited  to  the  agro  climate  situations  of  Ettimadai  are: ÿ Aloe  vera  (Kattarvazha) ÿ Withania  somnifera  (Amukkuram) ÿ Cetella  asiatica  (Vallarai) ÿ Aegle  marmelos  (Vilvam) ÿ Tinospora  cordifolia  (Chitamaruthu) ÿ Glorisosa  superba  (Gloriosa  lily) ÿ Ocimum  sanctum  (Thulasi) ÿ Andrographis  paniculata  (Kiriyathu  /  Nilavembu) ÿ Piper  logum  (Tipilli) ÿ Curcuma  aromatica  (Kasthrui  manjal  ) ÿ Kampferia  galangal  (Kacholam) ÿ Kampferia  rotunda  (Chenghzuneerkizhangu) ÿ Asparagus  racemosus  (Satavari) ÿ Caesalpinia  sappan  (Sappan  wood) CB. PR. 10 Ex-situ Cultivation of Selected Medicinal Plants in the Semi Arid Rain Shadow Regions of the Western Ghats of Tamilnadu and their Propagation Through Production of Quality Planting Materials PI:  Dr. M. Aravindakshan Sponsor:    NMPB  GOI Dept./Center:  Environmental  studies Start  Date:  November  2004