Need to nurture medicinal plants espoused
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 27 2018:
A two-day State level conference for stakeholders on the theme "Market Promotion of Medicinal Plants of the State" commenced today at the Imperial Hall of Hotel Classic Grande, Chingmeirong.
The conference is organised by Forest Development Agency, Northern Forest Division, Kangpokpi.
Speaking at the inaugural function as chief guest, Kereilhouvi Angami, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & HoFF asserted that there is an ostensible need to nurture medicinal plants knowing its intrinsic values.
He said that it is the responsibility of every human being to take care and protect valuable assets gifted by nature for sustainable survival.
Giving key note address at the occasion, Th Mohendra Pratap Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests (T-1) stated that Manipur is repository of a large number of medicinal plants and people living in and around the forests depend on these medicinal plants for their subsistence and income.
He asserted that medicinal and aromatic plants constitute the basis of primary health care for majority of the population of the rural and hill areas of the State and they are a critical source of income.
It is now globally recognised that traditional and alternative complementary systems of medicine provide health care to almost 80 percent of the population in developing and less developed countries, he conveyed.
He pointed out that despite significant contribution of medicinal plants sector to the local economy, its potentials are not duly appreciated and reflected in planning for sustainable livelihood systems and industrialization of the State.
He maintained that traditional medicines particularly herbal medicines have been increasingly used worldwide during the last three decades and unfortunately the number of reports of patients experiencing negative health consequences caused by the use of herbal medicines has also been increasing.
We need to take adequate measures so that medicinal plants are safe with respect to microbial load, residues and contaminants.
There is also an urgent need to promote medicinal plants based industrialisation, he added.
He observed that it may require sometime to establish manufacturing units of Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy drugs as we need to formulate effective industrial policy and programme.
He also opined that in order to tap the potential of the sector, there is a need to develop comprehensive set of strategy and action plan depending on our strength and scope for development with focus on full involvement of local people.
Noting that the sector is critically important for the State as it can create sustainable livelihood for the people, he requested all the delegates to put their best effort to deliberate on each aspect of medicinal plants sector particularly its marketing and come up with actionable recommendations.
DJ Anand, PCCF, Wild Life and DD Haokip, Addl Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, NBM & Medicinal Plants were present at function as the president and guest of honour respectively.
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