Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) J&K Suresh Chugh Thursday chaired a meeting of Technical Committee of State Medicinal Plant Board (SMPB) here at Forest Complex, Sheikh Bagh.
According to an official spokesperson, threadbarediscussions were held on action taken on first meeting agenda of SMPB, scrutinyof proposals under CSS and also proposals under National Ayush Mission. Therole of Agriculture Universities, Forest Department and other Departments inMedicinal and Aromatic Plants Sector was also discussed and it was impressedupon that Forest Department would be playing a positive role in assisting theState Medicinal Plant Board in its activities to get maximum benefits from thissector in the State.
During the meeting, CEO SMPB T Rabi Kumar informed thatState Medicinal Plant Board is working with objective of policy formulation,sustainable use of medicinal plants and addressing issues related to propermarketing of medicinal plants.
Speaking on the occasion, the PCCF said that government willsupport development of medicinal plant sector in a big way. The PCCF emphasizedfor adopting a holistic approach towards strengthening of medicinal andaromatic plants sector and directed for advertising demand for proposals to besubmitted by prospective growers, Institutions etc. He said that Forest Department is going tohave MOU with IIIM for information and expertise sharing in medicinal plantssector. He further added that parameters for short-listing of prioritisedspecies will be evolved with focus on availability of propagation technique,market demand, productivity and which will fetch remunerative returns to thefarmers.
PCCF stressed on the involvement of JFMCs, Van Panchayatsand Biodiversity Management Committees in medicinal plants sector.