KUPWARA: The Regional-cum-Facilitation Centre, Northern Region-II (RCFC NR-II), National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, SKUAST-Kashmir, organised a series of pre-programme activities at Government Degree College (GDC), Handwara, ahead of the 11th Ayurveda Day celebrations scheduled for September 22 and 23 under the theme “Ayurveda for Healthier Tomorrow.”
The programme focused on promoting awareness about medicinal plants, their conservation, scientific cultivation, sustainable harvesting and utilisation.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Ajaz Ahmad Kanth, Principal, GDC Handwara, appreciated the initiative and highlighted the importance of medicinal plants in Ayurveda and holistic healthcare. Prof. Nisar Ahmad Lone, Head, Department of Botany, emphasised the link between medicinal plant conservation, biodiversity and environmental sustainability.
An awareness session on “Sustainable Cultivation and Harvesting of Medicinal Plants” was conducted by Dr. Sofi Imtiyaz Ali, Project Manager, RCFC NR-II, who sensitised participants about scientific cultivation, sustainable harvesting and Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP). He also encouraged students to explore opportunities in value addition, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods through medicinal plants.
A Green Ayurveda Plantation Drive and Herbal Garden Open Day were also organised, with active participation of students, faculty members and the RCFC NR-II technical team.
The activities provided participants firsthand exposure to medicinal plants and their role in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
