Workshop on medicinal plants opened
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 17 2016:
A two-day workshop on market promotion for medicinal plants of Manipur was opened today at IMA Hall, Lamphelpat.
The workshop is being organised by the Directorate of AYUSH and the State AYUSH Society.
AYUSH Director Dr K Lokendro, AYUSH Additional Director Dr L Ashok Sharma and Chief Conservator of Forest Th Mohendra Pratap attended the inaugural session as presidium members.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Dr Lokendro said that many medicinal plants are found abundantly in Manipur but they are being destroyed because the younger generations do not recognise them or they have no idea to conserve them.
Substitution of natural medicines with cheaper chemicals is not advisable.
There is a growing need to identify all medicinal plants and exploit them in sustainable manner.
People of Manipur have been using medicinal plants for treatment of different ailments and diseases since ages but use of medicinal plants in scientific manner started only recently, Dr Lokendro remarked.
Th Mohendra said that two major factors for rapid disappearance of medicinal plants from the State are rampant deforestation activities and global climate change.
Altogether eight stalls are also opened at the workshop.