Manipur's medicinal heritage highlighted at Shatavari workshop
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 30 2026: A Statelevel workshop on "Species Specific Campaign on Shatavari (Nungarei)" was held today at IMA, Lamphelpat.

The workshop was jointly organised by Khongnangthaba University and National Medicinal Plant Board on the theme 'For Better Health'.

Speaking as chief guest, PCCF & HoFF and Additional Chief Secretary TCI and TA & Hills, Anurag Bajpai said Shatavari is an important medicinal plant well known in Ayurveda.

Beyond its therapeutic use, it reflects Manipur's medicinal plant heritage and its potential for health, rural enterprise and biodiversity conservation, he added.

He said the workshop is highly relevant for Manipur, which has rich indigenous knowledge and heritage of using medicinal plants.

Maibas and Maibis are important custodians of traditional healthcare practices.

Their knowledge of medicinal plants, preparation methods and healing is a valuable cultural and intellectual resource that is being lost as it is orally transmitted, he said.

Bajpai stressed the need for a Maiba-Maibi Traditional Knowledge Conservation and Research Programme involving AYUSH, health, tribal research, universities and biodiversity institutions, with fellowships, apprenticeships, documentation and research on Shatavari cultivation, quality standardisation and clinical research.

He said the campaign offers opportunities for quality planting material, scientific cultivation,- postharvest management and value addition, providing livelihood for farmers, SHGs and forest dependent communities.

Vice Chancellor, Khongnangthaba University, Prof N Joykumar, Director AYUSH Dr Akoijam Lokendro and Dean and Director AYUSH, Khongnangthaba University Dr Aribam Guneshwor Sharma also attended.

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