Ayurveda can become more popular globally if proper quality control, intense research and safety measures are focused upon, said the Governor of Uttarakhand, Krishan Kant Paul while addressing a national conference on “Recent Advances in Ayurvedic herbal medicine from Source to Manufacturing” organised by Uttarakhand Ayurveda University at Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) here on Friday. The conference was sponsored by National Medicinal Plants Board.
Addressing the programme as Chief Guest, the Governor said that with the tremendous increase in the global use of medicinal plants, several concerns regarding the efficacy and safety of the herbal medicines have also been raised. It has now become necessary to standardise the efficacy and safety measures so as to ensure supply of medicinal plant materials with good quality, he added.
The Governor said that Ayurveda has been part of the life of people in India for thousands of years and has strong scientific principles. He informed that all the medicinal herbs mentioned in Atharva Veda are found in Uttarakhand which can be called the home of Ayurveda.
The Governor said that Uttarakhand had a special responsibility to ensure that the growing faith of people on Ayurveda was sustained.
“The Uttarakhand Ayurved University can play an important role in this context. Research on herbal plants must be done according to an action plan”, he said. The Governor suggested that a Pharmacopoeia should be made for Ayurvedic medicines.
Cabinet minister for Ayurveda, Harak Singh Rawat said that 28 per cent of the biodiversity of the country was found in Uttarakhand. He said that here is lot to be done in the sphere of Ayurveda for which dedicated research is required.
Secretary (Ayush) Harbans Singh Chugh, Vice Chancellor (VC) of Ayurved university, A.K.Tripathi, IIP director Anjan Ray and Director General UCOST Rajendra Dobhal were also present on the occasion.