Does any programme for conservation and cultivation of medicinal plants exist in the Govt. Planning?
Yes, various programmes have been launched through Central Assistance for development and cultivation of medicinal plants. The Reproductive Child Health Programme (RCH) undertaken by Department of Family Welfare has an ISM component i.e. Vanaspati Van Scheme for raising medicinal plants especially of mother and child health importance. This scheme aims at providing traditional health care through medicinal plants at the doorstep of rural and tribal population of India, where the conventional modes of treatment are not available. Moreover, the use of medicinal plants for medical care is the culture bound practice of Indian Society especially rural one. The Department of Indian System of Medicine provides Financial Assistance to various Government/Semi-Government institutes under the control of Centre/State/UT governments to propagate cultivation and development of medicinal plants, Department of Biotechnology imparts financial assistance for Biodiversity conservation projects including
