With an overall object to explore the possibility of certifying medicinal plants collected from the wild, the pilot phase of the project on developing standards for sustainable collection practices, concluded in 2007. Of the five species prioritized earlier through an intensive field study and data collection viz., Lichens (a group of plant species). Juglans regia, Pueraria tuberosa, Hemidesmus indicus and Asparagus racemosus, the project focused on the Lichens which are heavily exploited from the oak forests for use as essence and spices. The seven months study was supported by the Uttarakhand Council for Science and Technology, Government of Uttarakhand. This project contributes to the wider initiative of developing standards for certification of medicinal and aromatic plants of India supported by National Medicinal Plants Board, Government of India.