Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 10: Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Atal Dullo today directed J&K Medicinal Plant Board to come up with a scientific action plan for development of medicinal plant sector and conservation of rare and endangered plant species found in Jammu and Kashmir.
He passed on these directions, while chairing the maiden meeting of the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee of the Board.
The Government of Jammu and Kashmir, had in September 2019, constituted the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee to monitor and evaluate the activities of J&K Medicinal Plant Board.
He underlined the need for evolving a framework for cultivation, processing and grading on scientific lines to get good returns on value added products. He asked the Board to invite related experts for inputs on the specific matters.
While applauding the efforts of the Board, he underlined the need for systematic research for developing a link between what is cultivated and what is required by the industry.
A detailed power point presentation on the Medicinal Plant Board and its functioning was given in the meeting.
It was given out in the meeting that around 1100 plants found in J&K are reported to be used in different systems of medicine, out of which 22 species are in high trade with more than 100 MT production per year. It was informed that these 22 species are being taken up for action on short and medium term for both conservation and cultivation.
For providing livelihood opportunities to the local population, the meeting decided to have an integrated policy for the (medicinal and aromatic plants) sector with specific action for each relevant stakeholder.
It was informed that the policy will include sector specific action plan along with indicator to monitor the progress in the implementation of the policy.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Forest Environment and Ecology, Sarita Chauhan; Director Horticulture, Jammu, R K Katoch; Director Floriculture, Jammu, K S Chib; Director Indian System of Medicine J&K , Mohan Singh; Joint Director H&ME, Madan Lal and other officers.
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