JavaScript must be enabled in order for you to use the Site in standard view. However, it seems JavaScript is either disabled or not supported by your browser. To use standard view, enable JavaScript by changing your browser options.

| Last Updated:14/02/2025

Latest News

Archive

Ayush director calls for saving medicinal, aromatic plant

Source: Chronicle News Service

 

Imphal, December 17 2021: Expressing concern over the illegal export of medicinal and aromatic plants native to the state and lack of knowledge resulting in dwindling number of such plants, State Medicinal Plants Board (SMPB) chief executive officer and AYUSH director Dr Guneshwar Sharma has stressed the need for immediate measures to conserve these invaluable plants.

He was attending a one-day farmers' training on 'Cultivation, Conservation and Marketing of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants' organised by SMPB, directorate of AYUSH and Association for Welfare and Rural Development Senapati at Rikhumai Taphou Baptist Church Women's Hall in Senapati district on Friday.

Dr Guneshwar said that the state has rich natural resources but numerous medicinal and aromatic plants are on the verge of extinction due to lack of knowledge.

It is high time to take up initiatives to protect and promote these resources without which these valuable resources would be lost.

The training organised under the aegis of National Medicinal Plant Board is part of this initiative, he said.

He also emphasised on improving market linkage for farmers and support schemes by forming clusters or self help groups of farmers through which the government could provide financial assistance to farmers.

There are several such resources in Senapati district including Taxux Baccata, which is used in producing anti-cancer medicines, and Homalomena, an aromatic plant, among others.

These plants are on the verge of extinction in the absence of immediate initiatives, he said and urged the farmers to consult department officials and the SMPB for cultivating these plants.

Retired professor of Manipur University Life Sciences department Dr P Kumar, CAU horticulture department's Dr Ng Pilu, assistant professor PS Mariam, assistant professor Dr S Romen and former mission director of Manipur Horticulture Mission K Jogeshchandra spoke as resource persons during the training programme.

Nurseries of medicinal plants and certificates were also distributed to the participants at the end of the training programme.