Udhampur, Jan 28: A seminar-cum-awareness programme on ‘Diversity, Conservation & Livelihood Security Through Important Himalayan Medicinal Plants’ was organised by SKUAST-K’s RCFC under NR-II, National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India in collaboration with Government Degree College Neeli Nallah, Udhampur on Saturday. 

The event was held under the patronage of Prof. Hans Raj, Principal, GDC Neeli Nallah, Udhampur. The programme started with a welcome address by Ramneek Sharma and Prof Shaista Yasmeen. 

Prof Hans Raj, Principal of the College, in his keynote address gave a brief introduction about the theme of the seminar. He said the role of medicinal plants is particularly important in the Himalayan Region as it is the major source of medication all over India. He stressed that the main motive of the seminar was to aware the students about how they can generate self-employment and livelihood with the help of the cultivation of medicinal plants. 

The first speaker of the event, Prof Sheikh Bilal Ahmed, Regional Director, RCFC NR-II, SKAUST-Kashmir, gave in-depth deliberations on the utilization and cultivation of medicinal, aromatic and edible plants for livelihood security. The event was followed by the second speaker of the event OP Sharma Vidyarthi (IFS), Member JK Biodiversity Council, Tree Talk Crusader. He deliberated that Indian culture and religious literature have revered plants since the Vedic period. He emphasized the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices, primary processing, packaging and value addition of various medicinal plants. 

The third speaker, Er Falak, Technical Officer, RCFC NR-II SKUAST-K briefed the students about the Artificial Intelligence and IoT technological tools for advancement in the medicinal plant sector and discussed various digital marketing channels in this particular sector. 

Other speakers of the event were Dr Rozy Rasool (Consultant, RCFC, NR-II), Liyaqat and Audil who spoke on the theme “Good Agricultural Practices of various medicinal plants’. A large number of participants including students and faculty members of colleges attended the programme which ended with a formal vote of thanks presented by Manisha Kanchru (Lecturer in EVS) and appreciated the efforts of participants as well as the organising committee.