ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA,
YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a): India is one of the biodiversity rich countries in the World and it is estimated that more than 8,000 species of herbs / medicinal plants are found growing naturally in wild in the country.
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Due to its diverse geographical and climatic conditions, India is divided into 15 different agro-climatic zones spreading across different regions / states of the country and all these agro-climatic zones have great potential for growing herbs / medicinal plants.
As per recent study conducted by NMPB in 2014-15 on “Demand and Supply of Medicinal Plants”, the annual demand of herbs / medicinal plants in the country is estimated about 5,12,000 Metric Tonnes in 2014-15. Further, as per this study, about 1178 medicinal plants species recorded in practices of trade, out of which 242 species are traded in high volume with an estimate of more than 100MT per annum. It is also estimated that the demand of medicinal plants / herbs in the country is growing @ 5% per annum which shows that there is great potential for growing herbs / medicinal plants in the country.
(b) & (c): For conservation, cultivation, survey, identification, documentation and exploitation of medicinal / fragrant plants and herbs, the NMPB, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India is presently implementing following schemes throughout the country:
(i) Central Sector Scheme on “Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants”
(ii) Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM)
Central Sector Scheme on “Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants” aimed at providing project based support for survey, inventorization, 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 etc. The Central Sector Scheme is being mainly implemented in different States / UTs through State Medicinal Plants Boards (SMPBs) and State Forest Departments.
Under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM), there is a component on “Medicinal Plants” which primarily aimed at supporting cultivation of medicinal plants / herbs on farmer’s land with backward linkages through establishment of nurseries for supply of quality planting material and forward linkages for post-harvest management. The cultivation of medicinal plants is supported by providing financial assistance as subsidy to farmers through the identified implementing agency of concerned state (generally State Horticulture and State Agriculture Departments). Under the scheme presently, the NMPB has prioritized 140 species of medicinal plants for supporting their cultivation and in this regard provides subsidy @ 30%, 50% and 75% of the cost of cultivation. As per the scheme guidelines, the financial assistance for cultivation of medicinal plants is provided based on the State Annual Action Plan approved for concerned State.
The State / UT-wise details of funds allocated / sanctioned / utilised for the purpose during the last three years is at Annexure-I & II.
(d): To check the irregularities in utilization of the funds released under the above schemes, the NMPB regularly carry out monitoring of the approved projects / activities through its implementing agencies in the state viz. State Medicinal Plants Boards (SMPBs), State Forest Departments and State Mission Directors. In addition, third party monitoring of the scheme activities / projects is also carried out through identified third party monitoring agencies.
However, in the State of Meghalaya, based on the irregularities observed by State Audit in implementation of various Centrally Sponsored Schemes by SMPB, Meghalaya for the period from April, 2009 to March, 2015, the Meghalaya State Government has already filed an FIR on 30.06.2015 to investigate the matter.
(e): The NMPB under its above schemes provides financial support to State Governments / Institutions / Trusts / NGOs for cultivation and production of indigenous herbs, setting up of herbal gardens including Medicinal Plants Parks in the country and for effective implementation of these activities, the agreements or MoUs are also signs as per the Operational Guidelines of the above Schemes.
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