Director General ISM (AYUSH) J&K Dr Ab. Kabir Dar started Medicinal Plants plantation drive at Indira Chowk Jammu in the premises of Directorate General of ISM, by planting trees of Amla on 21stMarch 21, 2016. The Medicinal Plants Plantation drive was aimed to promote and propagate Medicinal Plants in J&K.Speaking on the occasion Dr Abdul Kabir Dar emphasized the importance and need for plantation of trees and plants with medicinal values. He said that some important high demand species of medicinal plants have become threatened and endangered due to over exploitation from the wild and have entered into the Red list of “International Union for Conservation of Nature”. “These Medicinal Plants form a backbone for Pharmaceutical industry, and still more than 90% of these species used in trade continue to be sourced from wild. Increasing concerns of unsustainable collection from the wild, disappearance of certain species on one hand and concerns of quality and standardization on the other make it imperative to promote cultivation of Medicinal Plant species.
With more than 95% of the AYUSH products being plant based, the Cultivation of Medicinal plants, therefore is the key to meeting the raw material needs of the AYUSH industry besides offering opportunities for higher level of income, crop diversification and growth of exports. These medicinal plants not only help to make our environment healthy but also have benefits for our sound health.” Dr Kabir addded. Medical Superintendant Ayurvedic hospital Dr Taran Singh, District Officer Dr Rohit Gupta, Controller stores of ISM Dr Jatinder Gupta, Dr Wahid ul Hassan, Dr Aftab Iqbal Mir Research Officers J&K State Medicinal Plants Board and other officers/officials were present on the occasion.The plantation drive was held in all the Districts of J&K, with the involvement of Schools, Health Centers, NGOs, etc The Plantation drive was aimed at promotion of those Plants and trees which are used for their Medicinal Properties as well as food. Director General ISM (AYUSH) emphasized on all the officers/Officials to continue this drive across the State till the end of current plantation season of the State, and make National AYUSH Mission a success story. (KNS)