Call to conserve medicinal plants

AYUSH Commissioner Srivasuki says medicinal plants play a major role in preparation of drugs

January 28, 2014 02:52 pm | Updated May 13, 2016 12:53 pm IST - VIJAYAWADA

Students of Botany Department of Andhra Loyola College make a map of India using different cereals during the two-day national seminar on the college premises in Vijayawada on Monday. Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar

Students of Botany Department of Andhra Loyola College make a map of India using different cereals during the two-day national seminar on the college premises in Vijayawada on Monday. Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar

India has about eight per cent of the total world’s medicinal plants and herbal plants are in demand for their medicinal properties, said AYUSH Commissioner and AP Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Board CEO K.P. Srivasuki.

He was delivering the inaugural address at the two-day seminar on ‘Modern approaches to the conservation of medical plants’ at the Andhra Loyola College here on Monday. The seminar was organised by the Botany Department.

He pointed out that medicinal plants played a major role in the preparation of modern day drugs.

Mr. Srivasuki stressed on the need for conserving these plants by setting up more herbal and botanical gardens and through ex-situ conservation.

Green technology

The Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic plants, Hyderabad, Chief Scientist K. P. Sastry said that people should focus on consuming organic food and try to grow small quantities of medicinal herbs in their houses.

Mr.Sastry advocated green technology and wanted that to be encouraged and research on medicinal plants promoted, as there was a lot of potential. Experts also discussed on various other topics such as taxonomical significance of medical plants, traditional herbal and ethno medicine, effect of genetic pollution on biodiversity and horticulture techniques.

The students from the Botany Department showcased various types of medicinal plants and fruits such as Tulasi and Aloe Vera and explained about their qualities and usefulness.

The two-day seminar is being attended by a number of resource persons from various institutes such as the CSIT, Dravidian University and Dr. YSR Horticultural University.

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