S. costus is one of the most threatened medicinal plants of Kashmir Himalaya. This species is threatened due to the unregulated collection, over-exploitation, illegal trade, and loss of habitat. Habitat loss continues due to road construction and military establishments in many of the cultivation areas, decreasing its yield globally. Habitat destruction in the form of recreational activities and urbanization is as well limiting its ability to be cultivated, again decreasing global yield of this product. Another influence heavily affecting the survival rate of this species is the uncontrolled grazing of yak. The biggest threat, however, comes from the usage of the plant for its medicinal properties. It is listed as endangered by the Red data book of Indian plants. In another study, a camp workshop held in Lucknow assessed the plant as Critically Endangered new nationally in India, holding a population decline of 70% in the last 10 years. Another CAMP workshop for northern India assessed it as Critically Endangered new in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Conservation efforts do exist to control the rate of depletion of the species. The legislations of Jammu and Kashmir have enforced a special Act, The Kuth Act, in 1978 for the regulation of trade of S. costus.