Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav:  CUK holds lectures, seminars, cycle race, other events

Ganderbal: Central University of Kashmir (CUK) organised several events across all the campuses to celebrate 75 years of Independence and commemorate it as Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav here on Wednesday.

Department of Botany, organized an online lecture on “Medicinal Plants: An Overview for Future Business Development in India” by Prof Ravinder Raina, Former Principal Scientist YSP University of Hort. & Forestry (Solan-HP)

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Farooq Ahmad Shah highlighted the importance of herbal medicine, its revenue generating potential for all stakeholders, need to shift towards naturopathy, popularity of alternative medicine in China, SE Asia & India, opportunities for business & entrepreneurship development via-a-vis MAP’s of India. Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar highlighted the role of medicinal plant biodiversity, importance of collaborative approach between concerned stakeholders to develop MAP sector, prioritizing to prevent plundering of MP wealth from forests, and need to educate future generations regarding preservation & propagation of MAP’s for sustainable development of the country.

Prof. Ravinder Raina talked on issues regarding MAP’s like status of medicinal plants in India, foreign trade of botanical raw drugs, their supply chain, Indian herbal market, potential of this sector in India, importance of value addition, market scenario, basic rules for initiating business, medicinal plant based enterprises, opportunities for development of agri-entrepreneurship, global market opportunities, role of medicinal plants in Bhutan’s happiness index, Indian Himalayan MP’s and recent initiative (e-charak, new regional centre setting & GAP’s) from GoI w.r.t medicinal plants.

In her address, Prof. Azra N Kamili, Nodal Person Botany deptt talked about the role of Indian medicinal plants as a source of novel bioactive compounds and the need to protect this green gold from our forests. Dr. Rafiq Ahmad Lone conducted proceedings, while Dr. Shaiesta Shah presented the vote of thanks. Dr. Sajad Ahmad Lone was the rapporteur.

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