65 medicinal, aromatic plant projects sanctioned in J

Srinagar, June 19 (UNI) Despite financial constraints, the Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plant Board has sanctioned 65 medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) projects to various government institutions, NGOs and individuals in the state.

Minister of State for Health and Power Peer Mohammad Hussain stated this while inaugurating stakeholders' conference on ''Prospects of Medicinal Plant Production in Jammu and Kashmir''.

He said about 1400 hectares of land has been brought under in-situ conservation and ex-situ development under the 'Vanaspati Van' scheme.

The new trend of switching over to herbal treatment the world over has necessitated systematic growth and conservation of medicinal plants and herbs in Jammu and Kashmir, which is blessed with rich diversity of flora owing to its favorable agro-climatic zones, the Minister added.

Mr Hussain urged scientists to come out with a comprehensive plan for identifying priority species with high market demand so that the farmers were motivated to voluntarily adopt cultivation of medicinal herbs for supplementing their family income.

He said the state government had sought adequate funds from the Centre to strengthen the Board so that the requisite infrastructure was made available for harnessing the medicinal-plant potential of the state in full.

The conference was organised by the state Medicinal Plant Board in collaboration with Indian Institute of Integrated Medicines under the auspices of New Delhi-based National Medicinal Plant Board.

A large number of scientists from all over India deliberated on harnessing potential of herbal plants on commercial lines for making it a profitable and viable sector of economy.

UNI