Question : Promotion and Plantation of Herbs

Will the Minister of AYURVEDA, YOGA AND NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is fact that climate of North Eastern Region suits herbs for therapeutic purposes; (b) if so, the details of action taken by the Government for promotion and plantation of these herbs in the Region;

(c) whether the Government has taken initiatives for popularization of AYUSH through advertisement in TV, newspapers or any other sources and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) if not, whether the Government will consider to take such steps in future?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA,
YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a) & (b): India is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of biodiversity having different agro-climatic zones. A large number of medicinal plants/ herbs used for therapeutic purposes are found growing in these agro-climatic zones of the country including North Eastern Region and it is a fact that the North Eastern region of the country being a biodiversity hotspot suits for growing of number of these medicinal plants/herbs.

For promotion and plantation of these medicinal plants/herbs in the North Eastern Region, the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH under its “Central Sector Scheme for Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants” is supporting various activities on medicinal plants like resource augmentation/plantation in natural habitats, in-situ conservation through development of Medicinal Plants Conservation and Development Areas (MPCDAs), ex-situ conservation through establishment of herbal gardens, linkage with Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) / Panchayats / Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) for value addition activities like drying, grading, storage, primary processing and Research & Development on different aspects of medicinal plants.
Contd………

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In addition to above, the Ministry of AYUSH under its Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) is also promoting cultivation/plantation of medicinal plants/herbs on farmer’s land throughout the country including North Eastern Region and in this regard as per scheme guidelines provides financial assistance as subsidy @ 30%, 50% and 75% to the farmers for cultivation of medicinal plants along with backward and forward linkages.

(c) & (d): Yes, the Ministry of AYUSH under its IEC Scheme takes up initiatives for propagation and promotion of AYUSH systems of medicine by organizing Arogya fairs/Melas, Conferences, Exhibitions, Seminars, Workshops, Symposium and also undertaking publicity through electronic multimedia, print media campaigning for awareness amongst the citizens all over the country.


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