Adding another feather to its cap, the traditional medical practice of Chhattisgarh has now started getting international recognition after being nominated for an international award.
Recognised by the State Government’s body, ‘Chhattisgarh Aushdhiya Padap Board’ (Medicinal Plant Board), the ‘Chhattisgarh Paramparagat Vanoshadhi Vaidya Sangh’ has been nominated for ‘International Equator Prize - 2014.’
The Equator Prize, organised by the ‘Equator Initiative’ within the United Nations Development Programme is awarded biennially to recognise outstanding community efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of Biodiversity. This had been made possible with the State Government’s contribution to nurture traditional medical practice in the State. The Government officials claimed on Monday that about 1,000 traditional medical practitioners (Vaidyas) are associated with the Board.
As many as 1,234 entries from 121 countries have been received for the award. Out of these, only 35 organisations have been shortlisted. The winner will be given the award in a ceremony to be held in lincoln Centre of New York City in the United States on June 22. The ‘Chhattisgarh Paramparagat Vanoshadhi Vaidya Sangh’ has been nominated for its contribution in forming teams of rural botanists and ensuring basic medical facilities in remote areas with the help traditional medical practice. Besides, it generated employment and also ensured conservation of medicinal plants by distributing the same among the villagers under ‘Domestic Herbal Garden Scheme’.
Nirmal Awasthi had founded the organisation in 2004 with identifying and uniting about 1,000 ‘Vaidyas’ as its members. The association was officially registered in 2009.
Since its formation, the organisation has been playing a vital role in implementation of all the schemes of the Board. Chief Minister and the Forest Committee In-charge, Raman Singh congratulated the all the members of the association for the nomination and wished them good luck.