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Union minister of state (Independent Charge) for Ayush and minister of state for health & family welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, has welcomed the Delhi Government's initiative to expand green cover through large-scale plantation and conservation of the Delhi Ridge ecosystem. In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, the minister described the initiative as a significant step towards environmental conservation and sustainable urban development.
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, or alternatively, that a minimum of two forests be developed as Medicinal Forests (Aushadhi Vans).
The Minister stated 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 the Chief Minister 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.
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