PRESIDENT PLANTS
FIRST SAPLINGS AT NEW HERBAL FARM IN RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN
The President of
India, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam planted the first saplings at the
new Herbal Farm at Rashtrapati Bhavan here today. The Herbal Farm
will be an addition to the famed Mughal Gardens in the President’s
Estate. The President planted the saplings of Santalum album (Chandan)
and Ocimun sanctum (Tulsi). This unique project, a brain child
of the President, will be used to develop a gene bank of rare
and endangered medicinal plants and to educate people and create
awareness about the medicinal plant wealth of the country. Special
emphasis will be placed on educating children by giving them a
glimpse of the value addition process leading to finished marketable
products. A Green House using modern technology will also be set
up to house rare and endangered medicinal plants species. Interacting
with officials of the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic
Plants (CIMAP), who were present on the occassion, Dr. Kalam said
it was necessary to take measures to save from extinction many
of the medicinal plant species indigenous to India. He also said
it was necessary to link traditional wisdom about medicinal plants
which is in the form of ancient writings, with modern science
so that the country can take advantage of its bio-diversity by
producing the best and latest drugs using extracts of herbal plants.
The Herbal Farm
has an area of 10 acres in three different locations within the
President’s Estate. While it will be developed in a phased manner,
it will ultimately be home to many species of medicinal and aromatic
plants. These areas are being landscaped and laid-out in such
a way that they will facilitate the demonstration of the value
addition process while at the same time adding to the aesthetics
of the Estate. A separate area has been identified for the creation
of a water body in which aquatic plants will be grown. This water
body will also help in attracting migratory birds.
The project also
includes the beautification of the President’s Estate by planting
trees valued for their medicinal, ornamental and fruit bearing
qualities. This project is also proposed to be taken to the Presidential
Retreats at Shimla and Hyderabad. Expert advice will be taken
to accomplish this unique project.
