Parliament Question: High Altitude Medicinal Plants in Ladakh

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3250 ANSWERED ON- 07/08/2026 HIGH ALTITUDE MEDICINAL PLANTS IN LADAKH

3250. Shri Mohmad Haneefa

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government has taken cognisance of the fact that Ladakh possesses significant potential for the cultivation of high-altitude medicinal plants such as Seabuckthorn, Rhodiola, Artemisia and Aconitum, but scientific cultivation, processing and market linkages remain limited, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of the projects sanctioned in Leh and Kargil under the National AYUSH Mission (NAM) and the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) during the last five years, indicating the funds sanctioned, released and utilised, district-wise;

(c) whether the Government has assessed the commercial potential and constraints relating to cultivation, certification, processing, transportation and market access for medicinal plants in Ladakh, if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to establish processing centres, quality-testing laboratories, FPOs and assured market linkages in Ladakh to promote sustainable cultivation and generate local employment and if so, the timeline therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) Yes.

The government has taken cognisance of the fact that Ladakh possesses significant potential for the cultivation of high-altitude medicinal plants such as Seabuckthorn, Rhodiola, Artemisia and Aconitum. National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) is implementing Central Sector Scheme (CSS) on “Conservation, Development and Sustainable 1Management of Medicinal Plants” throughout the country. The scheme is aimed at providing project based support for the different activities. The Forward and backward linkage in supply chain of medicinal plants (Integrated Component) is one of the component

of CSS scheme wherein following activities are being supported: o Infrastructure for Quality Planting Material to raise the planting material of medicinal plants for cultivation. o Information Education Communication (IEC) activities to aware the farmers.

o Infrastructure for Post-Harvest Management and Marketing to increase the marketability of the medicinal plants, adding value to the produce, increasing profitability and reducing losses. o Quality Testing and Certification of raw material.

NMPB has launched “e-CHARAK” mobile application as well as web portal for the promotion and marketing of medicinal plants/herbs. The “e-CHARAK” application supports different local languages and it also provides fortnightly market price of 100 MPs from 25 herbal markets across India including Ladakh.

NMPB facilitates market linkage to the farmers/ collectors involved in cultivation/collection of medicinal plants. The detailed requirements from major companies (along with contact details of person from purchase dept) is shared with all State Implementing Agencies and Regional-cum-Facilitation Centers supporting cultivation of Medicinal Plants.

Further, State Medicinal Plant Board (SMPB), Union Territory of Ladakh, has recognized the significant potential of high-altitude medicinal plants in the region due to its unique agro-climatic conditions and rich biodiversity. In this regard the SMPB, UT Ladakh conducts training programmes, seminars, workshops and buyer-seller meets to promote the scientific cultivation, conservation, and sustainable utilization of medicinal plants. In collaboration with concerned departments and research institutions, efforts are made to strengthen conservation, awareness and value addition.

(b) The detail of the projects sanctioned in Leh and Kargil under the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) during the last five years, indicating the funds sanctioned, released and utilized is placed at Annexure.

Ministry of Ayush is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) through State/UT Governments including Leh and Kargil in Ladakh and providing financial assistance to them for overall development & promotion of Ayush systems of the medicine in the country against their proposals received through State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) as per the provisions of NAM guidelines. The Mission inter-

alia makes provision for the following activities: - i. Ayush Health & Wellness Centres now renamed as Ayushman Arogya Mandir 2(Ayush) [AAM (Ayush)]. ii. Co-location of Ayush facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs).

iii. Upgradation of existing standalone Government Ayush Hospitals. iv. Upgradation of existing Government/Panchayat/Government aided Ayush Dispensaries/Construction of building for existing Ayush Dispensary (Rented/ dilapidated accommodation)/Construction of building to establish new Ayush Dispensary in the area where there are no Ayush facilities available.

v. Setting up of upto 10/30/50 bedded Integrated Ayush Hospitals. vi. Supply of essential drugs to Government Ayush Hospitals, Government Dispensaries and Government/Government aided Teaching Institutional Ayush Hospitals.

vii. Ayush Public Health Programmes. viii. Establishment of new Ayush colleges in the States where availability of Ayush teaching institutions is inadequate in Government Sector. ix. Infrastructural development of Ayush Under-Graduate Institutions and Ayush Post- Graduate Institutions/ add on PG/ Pharmacy /Para-Medical Course.

`Further, as per the proposals received from UT Government of Ladakh through SAAPs, Ministry of Ayush has released an amount of Rs. 705.11 lakhs during last 05 years for implementation of different approved activities/projects of SAAPs and as reported they have utilized Rs. 534.24 lakhs. Further, there is no provision for release of district-wise funds under NAM.

(c) SMPB, Union Territory of Ladakh has assessed the opportunities and constraints in the medicinal plant sector. Efforts are made through capacity-building programmes to address constraints and promote sustainable cultivation and commercialization of medicinal plants.

Further, RCFC NR-II has consistently supported the establishment of post-harvest processing and quality-testing infrastructure in Ladakh for promoting sustainable cultivation and generating local employment.

(d) Currently, NMPB Ministry of Ayush is implementing “Central Sector Scheme for Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants” throughout the country. Under the scheme, the project-based support is provided for following

activities: i. Livelihood linkages with Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) for value addition and livelihood generation in forest areas / Panchayats / Van Panchayats / Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) / Self Help Groups (SHGs).

ii. Information Education and Communication (IEC) activities like Training / workshops / Seminars/ Conferences etc. iii. Research & Development. iv. Promotion of marketing and trade of medicinal plants produce.

v. Forward and backward linkage in supply chain of medicinal plants.

3As per the information received from Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for holistic development of horticulture throughout the country. Under MIDH, financial assistance is provided to the Public Sector only for for establishment of Center of Excellence (CoE).

A Centre of Excellence in Horticulture (CoE) is a specialized facility established with the objective of promoting excellence in horticultural practices, enhancing productivity, and ensuring sustainable development in the sector. These centers function as hubs of advanced research, demonstration, and training for farmers, entrepreneurs, and horticultural professionals. The CoE serves as demonstration and training centre for latest technologies in horticulture development. The centre also serves as source of planting material for fruits and vegetable seedlings for protected cultivation.

Under MIDH, a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Seabuckthorn has been established at Nimoo, Leh with financial assistance of Rs. 789.33 lakh. The project was initiated during 2020-21 and implemented by the Department of Horticulture, UT Ladakh with technical support from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) - Defence Institute of High-Altitude Research (DIHAR), Leh. The Centre comprises a scientific orchard, model nursery, demonstration and training facilities, primary processing unit and capacity-building programmes for farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups

(SHGs), women and entrepreneurs.

The Centre promotes scientific cultivation, production of quality planting material, demonstration of primary processing technologies and capacity building of farmers, FPOs, SHGs, women and entrepreneurs. The Centre facilitates demonstration of pilot-scale processing, establishment of model orchards and nurseries, development of standard package of practices and knowledge transfer for strengthening the Seabuckthorn value chain.

***** 4Annexure List of Projects approved by NMPB, Ministry of Ayush under the Central Sector Scheme for Conservation, Development and Sustainable management of Medicinal Plants during the last five years.

S. Year Title of the Organization Amount Amount Amount No. project Sanctioned Released Utilized (in Lakhs) (in (in Lakhs) Lakhs)

1. 2022-23 National Level Biodiversity 5.00 5.00 0.00 Conference on Research Identification and Centre, Kargil Conservation of Campus, Medicinal Plants University of and Flora of Ladakh Ladakh

2. 2022-23 National Seminar Department of 5.00 5.00 5.00 on Himalayan Botany Elizer

Medicinal Plants: Joldan Present and Memorial Future Prospects College Leh, UT Ladakh

3. 2024-25 Establishment of Central 1.35 0.75 - Herbal Garden at Institute of the campus of Buddhist CIBS, Studies, Choglamsar, Leh, (Deemed to be Ladakh University) Choglamsar, Leh Ladakh- 194101

4. 2024-25 Conservation Scientist In- 13.48 13.48 13.46 Status, charge Germplasm National Collection and Research Resource Institute Sowa Augmentation of -Rigpa Priority Medicinal (NRISR) Leh Plants in the Cold Ladakh Deserts of Ladakh

55. 2024-25 National Seminar High 5.00 5.00 0.00 on Medicinal Mountain Plants Arid conservation and Agriculture

Management: Research Trans- Himalayan Institute, Prospective SKUAST-K.

Stakna, Leh Ladakh

6. 2025-26 Enhancement of Co- 9.92 - - Salidroside Organization Content through Institute of Various Means in Sowa Rigpa, Rhodiola Leh- Ladakh imbricata Edgew. from the Cold Desert of Leh

Ladakh: In Field and in vitro Approaches.

7. 2023-24 Nucleus center SMPB UT 81.00 81.00 74.52 to 2025- maintenance grant LADAKH 26 6