Mysore :

“The government proposes to establish ‘Hasiru Grama’ in every forest division in the State to promote cultivation of exclusive medicinal plants,” said B. Shivanagowda, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF).

He was speaking after inaugurating a workshop on medicinal plants organised by the Village Forest Committee (VFC) at Aranya Bhavan in Ashokapuram here today.

Over 100 growers of medicinal plants, native doctors and VFC members are participating in the programme which features lectures on sustainable storage, value addition, transportation and marketing of medicinal herbs which are on the verge of extinction.

Shivanagowda said that the three VFCs were monitoring the cultivation of medicinal plants grown in 16 villages abutting the forests. He assured that the department would provide all needed support for developing the sector with value addition in every stage.

He proposed to hold a medicinal herbs buyers’ meet to explore direct sale of the herbs to manufacturing units. He said that Shathavari, Makaliberu and Gowri hoovu plants had tremendous potential in the medicine sector.

Speaking on the occasion, APCCF Dr. G.N. Srikantaiah said that the buy back system would be immensely beneficial to the growers.

Chief Conservator of Forests (Bamboo mission) A.C. Keshavamurthy opined that Health Tourism would give a fillip to the growers as herbal medicines have become very popular now.

Chief Conservator of Forests K.B. Markandaiah welcomed. FRLHT senior Programmer Jagannath Rao spoke. DCF D.S. Gaonkar was present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / August 08th, 2013