Patchouli cultivation can be a potential means to save forests from being denuded by needy villagers and even the timber smugglers. Besides, there is great scope for its sale within and outside India. Patchouli is a partial shade loving shrub of immense commercial value which is not grazed upon by farm animals due to its fine odour. Oil is extracted from the leaves of this plant, which is in rising demand in India and abroad. This plant is best cultivated in partially forested lands. As such the virgin forest soil of Assam, especially southern part of lower Assam can be utilized for the cultivation of patchouli.