[MPWG] CONFERENCE: 2nd International Congress on Tibetan Medicine

[Plant Conservation]

The Second International Congress on Tibetan Medicine which is taking
place Nov. 5-8, 2003 at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill (Washington,
D.C.) has a special track on The Future and Sustainability of Medicinal
Plants in the Himalayan Region.

As Tibetan medicine and other Asian systems of health become better known
and understood in the West, and new research becomes increasingly
promising,  we need to address the devastating impact that the escalating
need for medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) is having on environmental
and biological resources of the Himalayan region and South Asia.  Growing
and widespread demand, over-harvesting, ecosystem degradation and
deforestation, mono-cropping, and particularly the expansion of
unregulated/illegal trade and commercial use of medicinal plants, are just
some of the problems that are seriously beginning to threaten the survival
and availability of many MAP species in the region. Leaders from a variety
of fields and backgrounds (ethnobotanists, conservationists, industry
members, government and other stakeholders) will be invited to address
issues critical to this topic. A variety of case studies and examples of
good working models from throughout the region will be presented, as well
as issues of indigenous knowledge and intellectual property rights.

In an effort to create more awareness about Tibetan medicine, the
organizers are offering a discount off of the Regular registration fee
($260 versus $345 for the full conference, of $90 versus $125 per day).
Please go to www.procultura.org for more information & Program. If
registering go to the registration page & after entering the amount, enter
"Sust" in the "Group" Box. Or call 1-866-547-3309 to register over the
phone.