In a bid to promote the extensive cultivation of herbal plants that are becoming extinct, the Social Forestry Division of Forest Department is now gearing up to set-up herbal gardens in select schools in the districts of Kerala. This will be done in association with the Kerala State Medicinal Plants Board on the advice and financial assistance of the National Medicinal Plants Board, New Delhi.

The Social Forestry division will initially implement the project in 25 schools. For the implementation of the programme, a financial assistance of Rs 5,000 for each school will be distributed per year for three years.

As part of the programme, 200 medicinal plants under 25 varieties will be distributed to the schools. Of this, 50 medicinal plants will be planted in schools and the balance plants will be distributed to select students.

The schools, which earmark at least 20 cents of land for the exclusive purpose, will be eligible to apply for inclusion in the project. The Social Forestry division will supervise the overall implementation of the project.

Taking cue from this president of the Karnataka Indian Medicine Manufacturers Association (KIMMA), JSD Pani who is also a nominated member of the Karnataka Medicinal Plant Board has urged the State government to revive the Karnataka Board.

According to Pani, the State Medicinal Board is dormant and no efforts have been made to revive its operations despite several representations made by the Association.

In fact, there are around 600 Government Ayurveda Dispensaries (GAD) in Karnataka and they are surrounded by fertile land suitable for the cultivation of herbal plants. This land available with the GAD, particularly in Shimoga, Chikmagalur and Coastal districts are exceptionally ideal for herbal foliage growth. The region referred to as Malnad is known for the best herbal gardens that have come up on private lands and a portion of the State Forestry department identified areas.

Hence, the concentration of ayurveda industry in this region is the highest. Each GAD located in Shimoga, Chikmagalur and Coastal districts have minimum of 0.5 acre to a maximum if 5 acres of land to grow medicinal plants. Therefore State government should ensure that Karnataka Medicinal Board is operational at the earliest to capitalize on the opportunity, added Pani.