New Delhi, July 10 (IANS) Union Minister of State (MoS) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav on Friday welcomed the Delhi government’s conservation plan for the Delhi Ridge ecosystem, suggesting use of medicinal plant species in its mega plantation drive.

In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the MoS described the initiative as a significant step towards environmental conservation and sustainable urban development.

In his letter, Jadhav commended the proposed plantation of over 70 lakh indigenous and climate-resilient trees, development of more than 70 water bodies, and notification of nearly 6,000 hectares of land as forest area.

He described these measures as a significant step towards strengthening Delhi’s ecological security and improving urban air quality.

The Union Minister of State welcomed the proposal to replace invasive species such as Vilayati Kikar and Babool with indigenous species, including Peepal, Banyan, Neem, Arjun and Jamun, noting that the initiative would transform the Ridge into the “lungs of Delhi” and create a healthier and greener urban environment for future generations.

Highlighting the need to integrate environmental conservation with public health and traditional medicine systems, Jadhav suggested that at least 20 per cent of the plantation in the proposed eight forests be devoted to medicinal plant species.

If this is not feasible, then at least two forests should be developed as dedicated Medicinal Forests (Aushadhi Vans), the MoS wrote.

He said that such medicinal forests would help create a sustainable source of quality raw material for the Ayush sector, promote biodiversity conservation, strengthen ecological restoration efforts and encourage eco-tourism in the National Capital Region.

Jadhav also shared with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta an indicative list of medicinal plant species suitable for plantation in Delhi’s agro-climatic conditions.

The suggested species include Ashwagandha, Giloy, Tulsi, Brahmi, Shatavari, Amla, Arjun, Ashok, Neem, Bel and Jamun, among others.

Reiterating the Ministry of Ayush’s commitment towards promoting medicinal plants and sustainable healthcare ecosystems, Jadhav expressed confidence that the proposed initiative would serve as a model for integrating urban afforestation with India’s traditional systems of medicine and environmental stewardship.

–IANS

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