Garhwal Post Bureau
Srinagar (Garhwal), 11 Nov: An MoU has been signed between the High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Centre (HAPPRC) of Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University and Himalaya Wellness Company, Bengaluru, to promote commercial cultivation and research collaboration in medicinal and aromatic plants.
Under the agreement, HAPPRC will develop medicinal plants like barberry in its nursery. Dr Vijaykant Purohit, Director of HAPPRC, stated that this agreement is not only an important step towards environmental protection and promotion of medicinal plants, but will also play a vital role in livelihood generation for local communities. He stated that organised cultivation of medicinal plants will reduce pressure on wild species, provide economic benefits to hill farmers, and give an opportunity to engage with modern scientific farming techniques.
Dr Purohit stated that this partnership also opens up new opportunities for postgraduate students from HAPPRC. Under this MoU, HAPPRC will provide students with opportunities for industrial training, internships, and research projects. Due to which they will get the benefit of practical experience and skill development.
Senior Scientist Dr Sudeep Semwal said that this agreement with a leading industrial company like Himalaya will give a new direction to the conservation, research and commercial use of medicinal plants in the hill areas. Dr Atul N Jadhav, Head-Botanical Extraction Unit of Himalaya Wellness Company, while describing this initiative as a win-win model, said that along with the conservation of the local ecosystem, it will also promote green entrepreneurship among the youth. He said that this three-year project will prove to be a milestone towards strengthening environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation and green economy in the state of Uttarakhand.
