90% Medicinal Plants in jk at Risk, AYUSH Sets Up 500-Kanal Nursery

90% Medicinal Plants in jk at Risk, AYUSH Sets Up 500-Kanal Nursery ( photo: Google)

Asif Iqbal | February 11, 2025 | 09:27 AM IST | Health Care, Jammu Kashmir | Tags: Greek medicine, Jammu Kashmir, World unani day | Follow on Google News

90% Medicinal Plants in jk at Risk, AYUSH Sets Up 500-Kanal Nursery

Srinagar: As the world marks the World Day of Greek Medicine, concerns are growing over the alarming decline of medicinal plants in Jammu and Kashmir. Experts say that 90% of the plants used for medicine in the region are endangered.

Jammu and Kashmir’s forests are home to around 5,000 plant species, of which 500 are used in traditional medicine. Among them, 300 are highly valuable and play a key role in producing specialized medicines. Dr. Shuja, Assistant Director of the AYUSH Department, told Kashmir Uzma that 50 years ago, dispensaries were set up in villages to provide Ayurvedic and Unani treatments. However, in the past five years, infrastructure development has stagnated, and more people have turned to allopathic medicine.

Out of 571 dispensaries, 523 have now been upgraded into AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres. Additionally, AYUSH units have been introduced in all sub-district and district hospitals, offering Greek, Ayurvedic, and allopathic treatments. Dr. Shuja emphasized that all Ayurvedic and Unani medicines supplied to hospitals by the AYUSH department are NABL-approved and procured through the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation.

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Regarding regulation, Dr. Shuja highlighted that Ayurvedic and Unani practitioners must obtain a license from the AYUSH department, with strict action taken against those operating illegally. Over the past year, authorities have shut down 50 unauthorized shops.

Dr. Waheed, Technical Officer of the AYUSH Department, provided insights into the region’s medicinal flora. He stated that of the 500 medicinal plants in Jammu and Kashmir, 300 are crucial for producing treatments for cancer and other diseases. Among these, 150 are of great significance, with 25 classified as extremely rare. Alarmingly, 90% of high-altitude medicinal plants, including Bin Wangan, Pon Karmul, and Koth, are at risk of extinction.

To address this crisis, nurseries covering 500 kanals of land have been established in Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar. The forest department has also imposed restrictions on the extraction of rare plants. Furthermore, two mobile processing units are set to be launched to aid in conservation efforts.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by VoM News staff and is published from syndicated feed)

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.