The Chhattisgarh Government is now intending to become a key manufacturer of Ayurvedic drugs itself rather than simply selling the herbal raw material for processes to pharmaceutical units in other states.
Notably, Kerala which is known for its Ayurvedic treatments globally is the biggest buyer of herbal raw material from Chhattisgarh.
Chhattisgarh would now invite private drug manufacturers for production of Ayurvedic medicines on Public Private Participation (PPP) mode.
It modest terms, ‘forest medicine processing units’ are already being operated at 5 out of 27 districts of the State. The processed forest medicines have been introduced in the market with attractive packaging and brand name 'Chhattisgarh Herbals'. Products with this brand name are receiving good response from Ayurvedic doctors, patients and customers, officials stated.
Processed forest medicines worth nearly Rs34.77 lakh were sold in previous financial year 2013-14. In year 2005-06 when this retail outlet was started, stock worth Rs11.75 lakh were sold.
The State has a treasure trove of herbal plants which are collected by tribals and later sole to various pharmaceutical units for manufacture of a wide set of medicines.
Recently, a team of the forest department and the State Medicinal Plant Board led by State Forest Minister Mahesh Gagda visited Kerala - a leading manufacturer of Ayurvedic drugs in the country - to study the prospects of herbal drug industry in Chhattisgarh.
The Chhattisgarh State Medicinal Plant Board, in its survey, has identified occurrence of around 2,021 medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in the State.
They are mainly found in Abhujmad region, Bailadilla hills, Kanger Reserve and Kurchel valley in Bastar division and in some parts of Surguja division in north Chhattisgarh
According to the State Forest Department, the production of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) is about 87,065 metric tonne in the State.
The actively traded MAPs from the state are Bhui Aonla (Phyllanthus amarus), Baheda Chhilka (Terminalia belerica), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Safed Musli (Chlorophytum tuberosum), Aama Haldi (Curcuma amada), Bhelwa Fruit (Semecarpus anacardium), Van Tulsi (Ocimum gratissimum), Dhawai Phool (Woofordia fruitcosa) and about 100 others.
The Forest Department has prepared eight lakh medicinal plants in the nurseries of eight forest divisions in Chhattisgarh.
This includes Raipur, Dhamtari, Kawardha, South Kondagaon, Surguja, Jagdalpur, Kanker, and Jashpur Forest Division.
A ‘Home Herbal Garden Scheme’ has been launched to create awareness among masses regarding these medicinal plants, which have significance as home remedies for cough-cold, burn injury, wounds, stomach pain, headache and skin-related diseases. These herbal medicines have no side effects on human body.
These saplings can be easily planted in any open space. last year also, the Chhattisgarh State Medicinal Plant Board had conducted special drive for distribution of medicinal plants, which had turned out to be quite successful.
last year, a massive push already provided to promote growing of medicinal plants with the Chhattisgarh Government launching its ‘Home Herbal Garden Scheme’ for the people of the State.
Chhattisgarh with its massive forest resource has huge potential for supply of medicinal plants to the general public for their kitchen gardens with the prime objective of promoting their health and well being. Under the ‘Home Herbal Garden Scheme,’ medicinal value saplings were distributed to people which they can easily plant in pots or nurseries.
The State Government has also developed an elaborate retail network for medicines made of plants.
The Government’s retail network for marketing of these products comprise ‘Non-wood Forest Produce Marts’ which have been opened at six locations in the State besides ‘Sanjeevani Centres’ established in 32 different locations, officials informed.
Other than Raipur, the Sanjeevani Centre retail outlets are being operated at district headquarters of Durg, Bilaspur, Ambikapur, Kanker and Jagdalpur also, they informed.
During the last nine years till 2014, forest medicines worth Rs2.17 crore have been sold during 2013-14, the quantity of products sold increased by three times. The Government's AYUSH Department have given license to 102 forest medicines produced by Forest Medicine Processing Centres of state, under Cosmetic and Drug Act, officials stated.
Rich forest resources of Chhattisgarh are now being utilized for commercial manufacturing of valuable Ayurvedic herbal medicines. These forest produce medicines are proving immensely beneficial for cure of various diseases. Moreover, commercial scale manufacturing of forest medicines has also become a source of employment for large number forest dweller families.
The State Government has adopted the policy of utilizing forest resources for creating employment and generating source of income for forest dwellers. As per the policy, Village Forest Committees and Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) collect forest medicines and processing it as per market demand.
