Scientific documentation of medicinal plant prescriptions is being done in Chhattisgarh: APCCF Shri Pandey

Additional PCCF of Forest Department, Shri Arun Kumar Pandey has said that with the efforts of Chhattisgarh Government, along with promoting the cultivation of medicinal plants in the state, the prescriptions of medicinal plants are being scientifically documented and verified. Referring to the Vedas and Upanishads, he said that every plant and tree has medicinal importance, and we should focus on their conservation and study. Shri Pandey was addressing the inaugural session of the two-day national seminar organized on the topic “Recent trends and future prospects of traditional indigenous medicinal plants for drug development” today.

This seminar is being organized under the joint aegis of Shri Rawatpura Sarkar University of Raipur and Chhattisgarh Council of Science and Technology. Chief guest of the inaugural session of the seminar, Shri Arun Kumar Pandey, spoke in detail about the importance of sustainable development based on traditional knowledge and conservation of medicinal plants. He said that the Forest Department, in collaboration with the AYUSH Department, is certifying traditional community health practitioners such as Baiga, Gunia, Sirha, and Vaidya. He praised the invaluable contribution of Padma Shri awardee Vaidyaraj Hemchand Manjhi for five decades in traditional health services.

Mr. Pandey said that traditional medicine system should not be underestimated as it is effective in treating even serious diseases like cancer. He gave the example of medicinal plants like Gloriosa superba (Kalihari) and Ventilago denticulata (Red Lata), which are useful in treating skin diseases. He informed that forest dispensaries have been established in the state. Through this, traditional use of medicinal plants is being preserved and encouraged in collaboration with Ayurveda doctors. Mr. Pandey emphasized on integrating traditional knowledge and modern research, so that sustainable healthcare and conservation of indigenous medicinal species can be ensured.

In the seminar, Vice Chancellor Prof. S.K. Singh said that students should use their knowledge in the building of society and nation. Program coordinator and Principal of Pharmacy Department, Dr. Vijay Kumar Singh said that the objective of the seminar is to explore research achievements and opportunities for the use of medicinal plants and development of new medicines. Registrar Dr. Saurabh Kumar Sharma congratulated the Pharmacy Department for organizing the seminar on this relevant theme.

Experts like Prof. Chanchal Deep Kaur, Dr. Nagendra Singh Chauhan and Dr. Sushil K. Sasi shared their views in the technical sessions on the first day. More than 500 participants, including researchers, students and academicians, joined the program online and offline.