Medicinal Plants: Need of Hour

Kapurthala, July 4, 2022: Pushpa Gujral Science City celebrated Van Mahotsav by organizing a webinar on “Scope and potential of commercially importance medicinal and aromatic plants”. Around 80 students from all over Punjab participated through virtual mode.

Dr. Neelima Jerath, Director General, Science City giving introductory remarks at the occasion said that India is one of the ten most forest rich mega diverse countries of the world and there is dire need to save flora & fauna to prevent forest degradation. The primary objective of Van Mahotsav week celebration is to bring awareness on the environmental issues and educate masses about the need of planting trees as these are one the best solution to control global warming. Further, she informed that Science City is playing an important role in harboring rich floral biodiversity and is maintaining a herbal and medicinal plants. It has 5500 trees having rich cultural and heritage value at its premises. She informed that the State government was taking up a number of measures increase plantation activity in Punjab to increase forest cover to at least 15 % which at present is just  6.12 % of its geographical area, as well as to conserve biodiversity for future bioprospecting of natural resources which could be a source of many future medicines. Efforts are also being made to create awareness on rare and endangered flora and fauna in the state. A gallery on Mission Tandrust Punjab recently set up in PGSC also highlights the importance of Greening Punjab and conserving biodiversity.
 
Dr. Meenu Sood, Professor and Head, College of Forestry, YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan was key speaker on this occasion. She delivered a special talk on importance of medicinal and aromatic plants to highlight their benefits in health and well-being of people. She informed that medicinal plants have long been used in traditional medicine and ethnomedicine around the world. Aromatic plants , grown for their aroma and flavor, are also used to treat ailments.  Aromatic chemicals can be found in the root, wood, bark, leaves, flower, fruit, seed, and other parts of the plant.  As the benefits from medicinal and aromatic plants are recognized, these plants will have a special role for humans in the future. Further, she informed that consumption of medicinal and aromatic plants like rosehip, linden, mint, and ginger. Green tea and udihindi increased by 76% during Covid.