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Himachal Pradesh to explore herbal, ayurvedic potential

Staff Correspondent

Rs. 62 lakhs assigned to propagate medicinal plants

SHIMLA: The State Department of Ayurvedic Medicines in Himachal Pradesh has planned to spend Rs 62 lakhs for the propagation of high-valued medicinal plants after making a full use of its varied agro-climatic conditions.

For tapping the herbal potential of the State, the Ayurvedic Department had established herbal gardens, under different Agro-Climatic zones in the State. Herbal Garden of Jogindernager in Mandi district has been developed in 24 acres of land where more than 217 species of medicinal plants of different varieties have been propagated for demonstration proposes.

This herbal garden is conducting various research activities for developing agro-techniques of medicinal plants, said an official spokesman.

Ayurvedic Herbarium has been established at Jogindernager to keep the specimen of medicinal plants systematically and scientifically. The Herbarium is being upgraded and is emerging as a Centre for imparting training. The existing 440 herbal specimens and 5030 Herbarium sheets are being maintained to save plants from insects and pests, he said.

Farmers training camps are being organised at various places for creating awareness about the identification, cultivation, conservation and utility of medicinal plants in the State. Neri in Hamirpur District is another place where the department has acquired 28 acres land for establishing herbal garden under sub-tropical conditions. About 10 acres of land had been developed and nurseries set up to grow various types of medicinal plants.

Dhumrera in Shimla district is another place where herbal garden has been established in temperate wet agro-climatic zone. The main focus in this garden is to grow high valued threatened species of temperate medicinal plants. The number of valuable species in this area is about 25.

On the pattern of National Medicinal Plant Board, Himachal Pradesh Government has constituted State Medicinal Plant Board. The Board provides knowledge with regard to cultivation, propagation and their value in the open market to the growers, farmers, traders and NGOs.

National Medicinal Plant Board is also providing cent per cent financial assistance under the promotional schemes.

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Himachal Pradesh to explore herbal, ayurvedic potential

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