NIMP in doldrums

The 100 crore rupee project of National Institute of Medicinal Plants (NIMP) was sanctioned by the previous Union Health Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad. The plan was passed on February 14, 2014 as a part of Central Sector Scheme of Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants, under 12th Plan. The Department of AYUSH (GOI) had sought 10 acres of land which it intended to convert into medicinal plants park. The institute sought to be set up would be one of its first kind in the State and was supposed to contribute to the health services and economy of the State.
The institute was proposed to be opened in Bhaderwah in District Doda. It needs to be reminded that the Himalayas and its branches are famous all over the world for medicinal herbs and plants of unique type from which aromatics and medicines are made for commercial use. As such incepting the institute in Bhaderwah was a right decision and there would be large scope of developing the land for growth of more varieties of medicinal plants. More than a year has passed but so far there is no progress on the said institute. Funds have not been released and as such the plan is in doldrums. Nobody knows when funds will be released or whether these will be released at all. Obviously, the plan was to serve the interests of the people of Chenab valley who are backward from the standard of living that we have in the State. The Deputy Commissioner of Doda confirmed that such an instruction was there and the Revenue Department had acted on the advice and identified the land for the purpose.
There are no two opinions on the utility of such a project and the benefits that are likely to accrue from it. It is somewhat difficult to buy the argument that the NDA Government in New Delhi is deliberately sitting on the file. The Government does not usually function in that way. But, of course, it is the right of the new Government to re-examine the entire project and once again discuss its utility and the funding plan. Perhaps there could be more input from other sources and something could be added to make the plan viable. We must also remember that Bhaderwah is an ideal hilly place in the lap of Himalayan branches but at the same time we know that it has very limited plain land to the extent of one thousand acres. There is very small arable land and the local population is highly dependent on the small holdings which should not be acquired and the owners deprived of their assured bread even if the Land Acquisition Law is there.
Whatever be the case, it will not be advisable to shut down the plan and thus block the chances of a livelihood for hundreds of people who had been pinning their hope in the project. In terms of climate and forests environment, Bhaderwah meets the requirement but it is only the expert and experienced agronomists who can vouch for good and conducive soil for laying out the herbarium at the identified place. That is a different matter. The Government can order such a study to doubly ensure the viability of the project. But, we will strongly recommend that Jammu region should not be deprived of the proposed institute in any case. Rather, a plan should be draw which would be bigger than the one under consideration. Medicinal herbs produced in this institute will go a long way in improving medical services in the State. At the same time, it could become a source of earning as herbs and medical plants are needed throughout the country for making pharmaceuticals. Such projects have not to be made political issue and we are confident that it will take off sooner than later.

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