Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 25: Aromatic Plants Growers Association of Jammu and Kashmir has appealed Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed to declare Jammu and Kashmir a Herbal State for adequate promotion of Aromatic and Medicinal plants in J&K.
In a statement, the Association president R S Billowria lamented that despite the presence of 60 percent Aromatic and Medicinal plants in Jammu and Kashmir, the State was not being harnessing the same as compared to other States in India. “China is exporting worth Rs 1 lakh crores herbs and Thailand worth Rs 50000 crores while India’s share at present is only Rs 500 crores ,” he added.
Besides 62 essential oil plants species present in Jammu and Kashmir, the important one having the export potentials are; Palmorosa, Citronella, Lavender, Japanese mint, Peppermint Lemon Grass, Eucyplytus, Geranium, Rose, Davana, Vetiver, Jasmine, Patchouli etc. Rarest of rare herbal and medicinal plants are found in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh but unfortunately the Department of Indian System of Medicines (ISM) is not promoting Aromatic and herbal resources, which is a sustainable employment to the farmers of the State and employment to the technical technocrats,” he said.
Mr Billowria appealed to Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed to declare Jammu and Kashmir an Herbal State and take action against the concerned officers, who are not taking interest in utilizing the rich diversity of the J&K for the purpose.
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