Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal has announced to constitute Haryana Herbal Corporation to promote ayurveda and herbal medicines in the state.
The Chief Minister also announced to make Morni area an organic cluster and setting up a world class nursery for herbal plants in the area. He was speaking after inaugurating World Herbal Forest Project at Morni hills in district Panchkula on Thursday.
Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna were also present on the occasion.
Manohar Lal said that the Haryana Herbal Corporation would look after maintenance of herbal parks already established in the state.
On the pattern of state such as Sikkim, there are numerous possibilities of organic farming in Morni area which would also cater to the need of people residing in Chandigarh-Panchkula-Mohali of fruits, vegetables and other food items, he said.
Appreciating the officers and officials of the Forests Department and scientists of Patanjali Yogpeeth working on this project for last three years, the Chief Minister said that his vision of establishing World Herbal Forest in Morni hills have been implemented at ground level. People of this area would get employment with the diversification of herbal plants in forests of Morni area and it would increase their income, he said.
Manohar Lal further said that in terms of per capita income, Haryana is ahead of many other states, but areas such as Mewat and Morni are still lagging behind.
Now with this project, Morni will get distinct identity not only in the country but also abroad, he added.
The Chief Minister also said that Shivalik mountain range is the pride of Haryana and for development of this mountain range, departments such as Forests, AYUSH, Tourism and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare would work together.
Listing out the steps taken so far by the State Government for promoting ayurveda and yoga, Manohar Lal said that on the pattern of AIIMS, a 300-bedded hospital is being established over 20 acres in Panchkula at a cost of about Rs 500 crore alongwith National Institute of Ayurveda and Yoga.
Apart from this, Central Council is being constituted for Central Research Institute of Yoga and Naturopathy at Devarkhana in district Jhajjar. The Shri Krishna Government Ayurvedic College in Kurukshetra has been upgraded as AYUSH University which is one of its kind universities in the country, he said.
The Chief Minister said that vyayamshalas are being opened in every village to connect people with our ancient culture of yoga.
He also assured the researchers of Patanjali Yogpeeth for providing them accommodation at Morni.
He expressed happiness on the fact that researchers have discovered 53 new species of herbal plants in Morni area. So far, the total number of species of herb plants registered in the Forests Department was 1062 which have now increased to 1115.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated ‘Harad Vatika’. The Patanjali Yogpeeth has set a target of establishing total 125 Vatikas in Morni area of which 65 Vatikas have so far been established.
The Chief Minister also released three books written by Acharya Balkrishna. Apart from this, the Chief Minister also released a book entitled ‘Narendra Modi – A Charismatic Visionary Statesman’ authored by Adhish Agarwal.
Speaking on the occasion, Forests Minister, Rao Narbir Singh said that Haryana is fortunate to have Aravali mountain range and Shivalik mountain range.
He said that herbal plants would be planted on about 1200 acres which would provide employment to the local people.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister honoured 20 scientists working on this project with citations.