National Medicinal Plants Board: Schemes Proposed

National Medicinal Plants Board: Schemes Proposed

Question: National Medicinal Plants Board is an integral part of development of this sector. Discuss in the light of the schemes proposed by NMPB

- Government of India has established a National Medicinal Plants Board through a resolution notified in November 2000

- This board coordinates with ministries/departments/organisations/State/UT governments

- It works for the development of medicinal plants sector in general and particularly in areas pertaining to the following:

- Assessment of demand supply

- Advising on policy

- Promotion of conservation

- Proper harvesting, cultivation, quality control

- R&D

- Marketing raw material for sustaining and developing the sector

The following schemes have been implemented by NMPB:

- Central Sector Scheme for Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants: This scheme boosts survey, inventorisation, in-situ conservation, ex-situ conservation, herbal gardens, R&D, linkage with collectives such as SHGs, Joint Forest Management Committees

- Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Mission on Medicinal Plants: This is aimed at support for cultivation of medicinal plants in private areas with backward and forward linkages. The Scheme is being implemented under the National Ayush Mission/NAM

Facts and Stats

- There is no regional specific plan for cultivation of herbal plants endemic to the region though State Mission Directors prepare State Annual Action Plans for cultivation of prioritised medicinal/herbal plants through financial assistance in form of subsidy

- Subsidy is at the rate of 30, 50 and 75 percent

- 95 herbal medicine plant species are annexed under the NAM Scheme