SHOPIAN: One day seminar focused on the promotion, cultivation, conservation of medicinal plants and developing entrepreneurship was today organised at mini secretariat Shopian by the Ayush department.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shopian, Shishir Gupta inaugurated the seminar which was also attended by ADDC, Dr.Nasir Ahmad Lone and ADC, Dr.Zakir Hussain Faaz.

Speaking on the occasion, DC deliberated the effectiveness of the Ayush Medicinal system and the need to promote the cultivation of medicinal plants. He asked Ayush to make extensive publicity of the activities and lure people towards entrepreneurship in the sector.

ADDC Shopian called upon the gathering, especially staff, to work dedicatedly for the betterment of the sector and make a mark of Ayush in the healthcare system of J&K.

Earlier, District Nodal Officer Ayush highlighted the salient features of the Ayush system and the overall activities of the department including conduct of awareness camps, yoga sessions and medical camps.

DFO Shopian presented the rich diversity of valuable non timber forest products (NTFP) in the district and the need to collect these on a sustainable basis, and the national and international demand for these species. He asked locals to come forward and collect the products and apply for depots for proper marketing of the products, many of which also happen to be medicinal plants.

Experts of the department highlighted the uses and benefits of various medicinal plants including Banwagun, Kror, Kuth, Banafsha, Kahzaban, Shanger, Wanpran, and numerous other medicinal herbs with the view to aware the gathering about the locally found herbs used for number of health benefits.

A resource person of the department also spoke on endangered medicinal plants of Kashmir and the need to conserve them while citing over exploitation, deforestation and habitat loss among others as the reason for their degrading numbers.

The local farmers and lumberdars who attended the seminar were urged and motivated to venture into the cultivation of these medicinal herbs.

Assistant Commissioner Revenue, District Information Officer, District Forest Officer and other officers and officials of different departments attended the seminar.