The Himalayan Yew is a medicinal plant found in various parts of Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh in the Himalayan region. A chemical compound called ‘taxol’ is extracted from its bark, needles, twigs and roots. This has been successfully used to treat some types of cancers. The species is, therefore, over-utilised for manufacturing cancer fighting drug. The drug is now the biggest selling anti-cancer drug in the world. The species of Himalayan Yew is, therefore, under great threat due to over-exploitation on account of its medicinal value.