National Medicinal Plants Board Signs Two Landmark MoUs to Boost Conservation and Public Awareness of Medicinal Plants.
New Delhi:
In a major step towards the conservation and promotion of India’s rich medicinal plant heritage, the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) under the Ministry of Ayush signed two significant Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) today at Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi. The event was presided over by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav.
The MoUs are expected to significantly strengthen efforts in the preservation of rare and endangered medicinal plant species and enhance public engagement through educational initiatives in the field of traditional medicine.
MoU 1: NMPB and IshVed-Bioplants Venture
The first MoU was signed between NMPB and IshVed-Bioplants Venture, Pune. This strategic partnership aims to:
- Conserve and maintain the germplasm of rare, endangered, and threatened (RET) medicinal plant species using advanced tissue culture techniques.
- Develop and implement cultivation and maintenance protocols to ensure sustainable supply of RET medicinal plants crucial to the Ayush industry.
- Harness the combined technical expertise of both organizations to benefit stakeholders, farmers, and industry partners engaged in the medicinal plant sector.
This initiative is expected to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and scientific conservation methods, ensuring that vital plant species used in Ayurveda and other Ayush systems are not lost to time or environmental degradation.
MoU 2: NMPB, AIIA, and AIIMS, New Delhi
The second tripartite MoU was signed among NMPB, the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi to establish a National Medicinal Plants Garden within the AIIMS campus.
Key objectives of this collaboration include:
- Creating a living repository of medicinal plants accessible to patients, students, researchers, and visitors from across the country.
- Enhancing public awareness about the therapeutic and ecological value of medicinal plants.
- Fostering cross-institutional collaboration between Ayush and modern medicine systems for knowledge exchange and outreach.
The garden will serve as an educational and awareness platform that showcases India’s diverse medicinal flora and promotes evidence-based traditional healthcare.
Union Minister Highlights National Vision
Speaking at the event, Prataprao Jadhav emphasized that the MoUs reflect the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to build a healthier and self-reliant India by 2047.
“By integrating traditional knowledge with modern science, we are making meaningful progress toward conserving and promoting India’s natural wealth. These MoUs are more than collaborations—they are a commitment to preserving our heritage for future generations,” said the Minister.
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries, including:
- Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush
- M. Srinivas, Director, AIIMS New Delhi
- Ankita Mishra Bundela, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
- Senior officials from NMPB, AIIA, and AIIMS
These partnerships signify the Ministry’s dedication to evidence-based conservation, scientific innovation, and public outreach, reinforcing India’s position as a global leader in traditional medicine and biodiversity conservation.
