Several Central Government schemes to promote AYUSH and medicinal plants in Ladakh, ₹705.11 lakh released over five years
New Delhi, August 7: The Central Government has implemented several important schemes to expand AYUSH services, promote medicinal plant conservation, and promote horticulture development in Ladakh. Union Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) Prataprao Jadhav stated in a written reply in the Lok Sabha that under the National AYUSH Mission (NAM), financial assistance is provided to states and union territories based on their State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs).
Key activities supported under the National AYUSH Mission include construction of new AYUSH dispensaries, establishment of 10/30/50 bed integrated AYUSH hospitals, supply of essential medicines to government AYUSH hospitals and dispensaries, AYUSH public health programs, establishment of new government AYUSH colleges, and development of infrastructure for AYUSH undergraduate and postgraduate institutions.
The Minister stated that ₹705.11 lakh has been released for Ladakh under various approved projects over the past five years, of which ₹534.24 lakh has been utilized. However, there is no provision for district-wise release of funds under the National AYUSH Mission.
The Central Government is also implementing several schemes in the field of medicinal plants. Under the Central Sector Scheme of the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), project-based assistance is provided for the conservation, development, and sustainable management of medicinal plants. This includes research and development, training, workshops, value addition, marketing, strengthening the supply chain, and livelihood generation through self-help groups and forest management committees.
The government stated that the Ladakh State Medicinal Plants Board (SMPB) has assessed the potential and challenges in the medicinal plant sector and is conducting capacity-building programs for farmers and local communities. RCFC NR-II is also assisting in developing post-harvest processing and quality testing infrastructure.
Similarly, a Center of Excellence for Sea Buckthorn has been established in Nimu, Leh district, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare's Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) scheme. Financial assistance of ₹789.33 lakh was provided for this project. Launched in 2020-21, the project was implemented by the Horticulture Department of Ladakh with technical support from the DRDO's Defense Institute of High-Altitude Research (DIHAR), Leh.
This Center of Excellence houses a scientific orchard, a model nursery, training and demonstration facilities, a primary processing unit, and capacity building programs for farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), women, and entrepreneurs. This center is playing a key role in promoting scientific cultivation of sea buckthorn, production of quality planting material, demonstration of processing techniques, and strengthening the value chain.
Apart from this, in the last five years, several projects including conservation of medicinal plants, research, establishment of herbal garden, national seminars and maintenance of nucleus centres have also been approved by the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) in Ladakh.
