State to exploit Bio diversity scientifically: CM

Shimla, Apr 23 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today said the state had huge cache of bio-diversity and scientific exploitation could generate additional income avenues to people.

Addressing a valedictory function of four day long seminar of Post Graduate Nephrology in New Delhi, Mr Dhumal said Himachal Pradesh had 7.23 percent of the nation's bio diversity and being a hill state had been blessed with immense natural wealth in the shape of valuable natural flora and fauna, rare medicinal herbs.

The Chief minister claimed bio-diversity treasure of state had potential to grow herbs those had more therapeutic uses and capacity to cater to the needs of pharmaceuticals manufacturing ayurvedic and allopathic medicines.

Mr. Dhumal said State had varied agro-climatic conditions congenial to cultivate different types of medicinal herbs and cold zones were suitable for growing rare herbs where as lower areas could grow other medicinal plants required in huge quantity.

''State offers best climatic conditions to give boost to health tourism where medicinal herbs could play an important role and network of about 118 ayurvedic health institutions had been created all over the state, besides developing herbal gardens at different climatic zones to scientifically cultivate medicine herbs'', he added.

The Chief Minister claimed government had made it a time bound programme to get the farm soil of one-lakh farmers tested during current financial year and issue them soil health cards with suitability of farm land for particular type of crop and herbs.

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