Background: Sacred plants in Manipur (Northeast India) have important roles in religious and cultural practices among the Meitei and Meitei Hindu communities. They are part of rituals, festivals, taboos, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and support biodiversity in the region. Unfortunately, increasing impacts from human activities are affecting the availability of the sacred plants and their associated significance/cultural value. 
 
Methods: A field-based survey of three prominent women&rsquo;s markets (Ima Keithel, Nambol Keithel and Singjamei Keithel) from two districts in Manipur was conducted over May-July (2024 and 2025). Plants were collected from each market, followed by taxonomic identification of plants using standard books and other reputable databases. Plant descriptions were also gathered through purposive interviews with thirty elderly participants (ten from each market) and confirmed with the traditional managers (Arangphams, Maiba and Maibi). Plant scientific names were verified using the GBIF database and other reputable sources. 
 
Result: A total of 49 taxa belong to 43 genera and 30 families. The family with the highest number of recorded species is Rosaceae, followed by Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae and Zingiberaceae. The site with the highest number of species was Ima Keithel. Most plants recorded for species have medicinal properties and are used in major rituals such as Cheiraoba and Lai-haraoba. The identified threats are cultural erosion, habitat destruction, climate change, pollution and over-harvesting, indicating an urgent need for conservation efforts and the revitalization of TEK. 
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Survey of Sacred Plants and Their Plant-derived Products in Women&rsquo;s Markets, Manipur, North East India

<div style="text-align: justify;">Cultivating black pepper in Malaysia started in early 10th to the 11th century when the South Indian Kings began to extend their empire. The crop was brought to East Malaysia in 1840 by Chinese settlers, actively planted until it was hit by the massive flood, fluctuation of the price and outbreak of foot rot. High yielding cultivars such as Kuching, Semenggok Emas and Semenggok Aman provided promise for better production, but resulted in increased soil degradation and reduced crop growth in Sarawak. The paper aims to discuss the black pepper industry in Sarawak and present scenario of its cultivation including future prospects. Cultivating on hilly topography with coarse textured dominant soil becomes one of the limiting factors. This factor is observed due to high rainfall intensity and steeper slopes. Neglected soil conservation also affects crop production and lead to a lower return on investments. Technologies such as land conservation and practising precision agriculture need to be adopted to reduce the impact of soil degradation and better production.</div>

Survey of Sacred Plants and Their Plant-derived Products in Women’s Markets, Manipur, North East India

Black Pepper in Malaysia: An Overview and Future Prospects