Nairobi — The International Centre for Research and Agro Forestry (Icraf) has started a project in Nyando District to conserve the endangered Aloe Vera plant.

The plant will then be exported to pharmaceutical firms in Australia.

Mr David Nyantika, an Icraf research extension officer, yesterday said a pilot project to conserve the medicinal plant has been launched in Jimbo east sub-location within the district.

"The Aloe plant is threatened with extinction due to heavy destruction of forest cover in Nyakach, land degradation and harvesting by local residents," Nyantika said.

He added: "Aloe has a variety of uses. Its most important value is medicinal and some residents use it for treatment of skin ailments."

The plant is also used for making hair conditioners and gels, among other beauty products.

Nyantika said due to the high demand for the plant by local pharmaceutical and cosmetic firms, it was quickly getting depleted.