In the wake of fossil fuel starvation, the world is making attempts to make bio-diesels more usable. Indian countries are eyeing at its herbal wealth, which has the potential to be used as bio-diesel.

Certain locally available Indian herbs like Jatropha carcus and Pongamia pinnata are now considered to be an important ingredient for bio-diesel production. The State Planning Commission has set up various projects in India to enhance the production of herbs suitable for bio-diesel production.

Central Research Institute of Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) and National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oil Development Board (NOVOD) have been carrying out demonstrations in states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Gujarat etc. to inform the local people about plantation, marketing regulations of these herbs.

Some of the herbs like Jatropha are grown in the backyards of most rural Indian families. All required to do is to make proper utilization of the same, as most of these rural areas are far-flung and inaccessible to market herbal produce. The scientists are divided over the  issue of use of herbal plants for bio-diesel production. Scientists are demanding an exhaustive study on its utility and effect on the mankind.

Jatropha is said to have toxic effect on human beings. The scientists are also stressing that the locally available varieties should be used for the bio-diesel production, instead of using foreign varieties of Jatropha.