Dehradun: To further strengthen the relationship between the forest and the people, Uttarakhand government has started focussing on the herbal mission. Under this mission, medicinal herbs and aroma plants will be cultivated on the Van Panchayat lands across the state. 500 Van Panchayats will be included in the first phase of the mission.
The state government may amend the Van Panchayat Act and Rules. In this regard, a committee constituted by the state government has already submitted its report.
State witnessed deep relationship between the forests & people in the past
The hill state witnessed a deep relationship between the forest and its people in the past. Apart from conserving the forest, people also used to fulfill their needs. The situation underwent a change after the implementation of the Forest Act in the year 1980. It affected the relationship between forest and the people because of the shrinking of people’s rights. The relationship did not remain the same as before.
State government takes steps to link livelihood with forest
Finally, the state government also realized the existing gap between the forest and the people. Now, the government has started taking steps to link the livelihood with the forest. The government is also sending out a message among the people that the forests are their own property. With this purpose, the government drew a blueprint of the Herbal Mission.
Cultivation of medicinal herbs and aroma plants
Under this mission, it has been decided to promote cultivation of medicinal herbs and aroma plants on the Van Panchayat lands for the first time. The total number of Van Panchayats in the state is 11267. In the first phase of the mission, 500 Van Panchayats will be taken up. An estimated Rs 628 crore has been invested in this Herbal mission.
Amendment is required in Van Panchayat Act
For the proper implementation of the Herbal Mission in the state, the amendment in the Van Panchayat Act and Rules is required. Provisions are likely to be made in the Van Panchayat Act and rules for the cultivation of medicinal herbs and aroma plants, right to extraction of the produce, and setting up of processing units. After the approval of the state cabinet, the herbal mission will be translated into a reality at the ground level.
