Lok Sabha Question No. 2777 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-28
Subject: Survey to Identify Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: K.R.P. PRABAKARAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH)

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 2777 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 TH DECEMBER, 2018

## SURVEY TO IDENTIFY M EDICINAL AND AROMATI C PLANTS

## 2777. SHRI K.R.P. PRABAKARAN:

Will  the  Minister of AYURVEDA,  YOGA  AND  NATUROPATHY,  UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the  Government  has  conducted  any  survey  to  identify  medicinal  and  aromatic plants/various  herbs  in  the  country  particularly  in  Western  Ghats,  if  so,  the  detail indicating the estimated potential of these plants;
- (b) the steps taken by the Gover nment for documentation, protection, farming and commercial exploitation of these plants along with the funds allocated for the purpose;
- (c) whether the Government proposes any incentives to the farmers to promote herbal far and if so, the details th ereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  a  university  or  institute  specifica conservation and promotion of medicinal plants; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## THE MINISTER OF ST ATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY

## ANSWER (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

- (a): The Botanical Survey of India (BSI), an organization under Ministry of Environme Forest  and  Climate  Change  mandated  for  survey  of  plant  diversity  of  the  country; documentation, including traditional knowledge associated with it at National, Regional , St te and  Ecosystem  level  in  different  parts  of  the  country.  The  BSI  is  carrying  out  surv documentation of all plant resources of the country including medicinal/aromatic plants/ herbs and it is estimated that more than 8000 species of medic inal herbs and medicinal plants are found in the country. As per BSI information, about2000 species of  medicinal and aromatic plants are found in Western Ghats.

Contd………

(b): Presently,  the  National  Medicinal  Plants  Board  (NMPB),  Ministry  of  AYUSH, Government of India is implementing a Central Sector Scheme on 'Conservation, Development and  Sustainable  Management  of  Medicinal  Plants'  under  which  project  based  support  is  also provided  for  survey,  inventorization, in - situ conservation  through  development  of  Medicinal Plants Conservation and Development Areas (MPCDAs), ex- situ conservation through establishment of herbal gardens etc. The funds allocated for the scheme during last three as below:

| Name of the Scheme              | Name of the Scheme              | Financial Year   |   Fund Allocated (Rs. In Crore) |
|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|------------------|---------------------------------|
| Central                         | Sector Scheme on 'Conservation, | 2015- 16         |                           68.88 |
| Development                     | and Sus tainable                | 2016- 17         |                           70    |
| Management of Medicinal Plants' | Management of Medicinal Plants' | 2017- 18         |                           71    |

For  farming  and  commercial  exploitation  of  medicinal/aromatic  plants/herbs, Ministry of AYUSH presently promoting large scale cultivation under its Centrally Sponsored scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM).

(c): Yes,  the  Ministry  of AYUSH,  Government  of  India  under  its  Centrally  Sponsored Scheme  of  National  AYUSH  Mission  (NAM)  is  providing  financial  assistance  as  subsidy  t farmers to promote farming of herbs/medicinal plants throughout the country.

Under  NAM  scheme,  there  is  a  comp onent  on  'Medicinal  Plants'  which  is  primarily aimed  at  supporting  cultivation  of  herbs/medicinal  plants  on  farmer's  land  with  backward linkages through establishment of nurseries for supply of quality planting material, and linkages  for  post - harve st  management.    Presently,  140  medicinal  plants  species  have  been prioritized for supporting cultivation throughout the country for which the subsidy is pr farmers @ 30%, 50% and 75% of cost of cultivation.As per NAM scheme guidelines, the fun under  this  component  is  shared  in  the  ratio  of  60:40  between  Central  and  State  Govern whereas it is in the ratio of 90:10 in North East & Hilly Regions states and financed Central  Government  in  Union  Territories  (UTs).The  cultivation  programme  is imple nted through the identified implementing agency of concerned state and the financial assist provided as per the State Annual Action Plan approved for concerned State .

(d) & (e): Yes, there is a proposal to set up a National Institute o f Medicinal Plants in the country  under  Ministry  of  AYUSH,  Government  of  India.  For  the  purpose,  the  Ministry AYUSH, has identified a location at District Jalgaon of Maharashtra State. In addition, there is also a proposal to set up Institute for High A ltitude Medicinal Plants in the State of Jammu & Kashmir under Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.

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