Oushadhi, the government Ayurveda medical company has requested the State Board of Wildlife (SBWL) to allow it to use antlers of spotted deer and sambar in medicinal preparations.

Ayurveda uses a wide range of wild animal parts like horns, feathers, antlers etc. for preparing medicines.

The non availability of animal products was a matter of concern for both the practitioners and beneficiaries and so it had recommended the Chief Wildlife Warden to involve section 64 of The Wildlife Protection Act to frame rules for permitting the use of antlers, quills, horns and feathers and also the rearing of small India civet for secretions.

T.S. Madhavan Kutty, Chief of Research and Development, Kotakkal Arya Vaidya Shala, said the production of few medicines using animal products have been stopped due to the scarcity of products and legal hassles involved in its collection.

P.S. Easa, a member of the National Board for Wildlife said the conservation of wildlife also meant sustainable use of wild animal products. Dr. Easa suggested, "Such use shall not harm animals. It can be permitted under strict regulations and monitoring of forest officials."