(a) whether the Government has any plan/scheme to promote the Medicinal plantation in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the funds provided under the scheme/plan during the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise including Gujarat; and
(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote the medicinal plantation in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) & (b) In order to promote medicinal plant sector in the country, Government of India set up the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) on 24th November 2000. Currently the Board is working under the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha & Homoeopathy), Government of India. The primary mandate of NMPB is to develop an appropriate mechanism for coordination among various ministries/ departments/ organizations, and implementation of support policies/programs for overall (conservation, cultivation, trade and export) growth of medicinal plants sector both at the Central /State and international levels. NMPB is presently implementing the following schemes across the country, including in the State of Gujarat to promote medicinal plantation in the country:
i) Central Sector Scheme on “Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants”.
ii) Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission.
(c) The State/UT-wise detail of the funds released under the above scheme during the last three years and the current year including the State of Gujarat is at Annexure-I & II.
(d) To promote the medicinal plantation in the country including the State of Gujarat, NMPB, under its above-mentioned Central Sector Schemes, provides project based support to State Forest Departments for resource augmentation/plantation of medicinal plants in their natural habitats/ forest areas and also outside the designated forest areas. Besides, under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM), there is a component of ‘Medicinal Plants’ under which the large scale cultivation/plantation of medicinal plants on farmers’ land is promoted as per the Scheme’s guidelines. Financial assistance as subsidy @ 30%, 50% and 75% of cost of cultivation is provided to farmers throughout the country, including in Gujarat.
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