500 varieties of medicinal plants in Kargil

Kargil, Jul 14 (UNI) About 500 varieties of medicinal plants are found in Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir, where only 292 varities have so far been identified.

This information was given during a day-long seminar on medicinal and aromatic plants, organised by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra of Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agriculture, Science and Technology (SKUAST) in collaboration with the Kargil Kisan Association.

This was for the first time such a seminar was organised here in which students, farmers and scientists all participated.

Dr Mir Ghulam Hassan, a scientist, said 292 varities of medicinal plants had been identified in Kargil district by the SKUAST.

However, he expressed concern that no measures were being taken to preserve some rare plants, found here only.

Range officer Wildlife department Ghulam Abbas said encouraging plantation of medicinal plants would generate lot of employment and help farmers to earn more.

However, Dr Namgiyal said there were more than 500 varities of medicinal plants in the district which were enough to treat almost all diseases. ''We need other medicines,'' he said.

Chief Executive Councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil Haji Asgar Karbalayee stressed the need for planting medicinal plants.

UNI XC/BAS GT KN1655