(a) whether the Government has taken any steps to conserve various varieties of medicinal plants in the country;
(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to boost the production of Ayurvedic medicines alongwith the details thereof; and
(c) the amount given as grants by the Government for cultivation of medicinal plants during the last three years?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI A. RAJA)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) The National Medicinal Plants Board has prioritised 32 medicinal plants species and an area of 10,500 acres of land has been covered under these species during the last two years. Besides, Government have provided financial support for modernizing State Ayurvedic Pharmacies, Drug Testing Laboratories and for adoption of good manufacturing practices.
(c) The amount given for overall growth and development of medicinal plants during the last three years is as follows :
2000-2001 Rs. 93.5 lacs 2001-2002 Rs. 999.4 lacs 2002-2003 Rs. 1407 lacs