Why is Kashmir important ?

Kashmir is important for geopolitical, strategic, cultural, and ecological reasons. 

Indus river

1. Geopolitical Importance
Territorial Dispute : Kashmir is at the center of a longstanding conflict between India, Pakistan, and China. Control over this region is a matter of national identity and sovereignty for all three.
Border Sensitivity: It borders China (Xinjiang, Tibet) and Pakistan, making it strategically crucial for regional security.

Medicinal plants of Kashmir

India–Pakistan Wars : Five  major wars (1947, 1965, 1999, 2019 & 2025) were fought mainly over Kashmir.

2. Strategic Importance
Military Advantage: The region’s mountainous terrain provides a tactical high ground and acts as a buffer zone. Control over Siachen Glacier gives India a vantage point over both Pakistan and China.
Water Resources: The Indus River system originates here, crucial for agriculture and drinking water in both India and Pakistan. This makes Kashmir vital in the context of the Indus Waters Treaty.

3. Economic and Ecological Significance
Natural Resources: Known for forests, hydroelectric power, horticulture, minerals, and medicinal plants.  Kashmir is famous for medicinal plants due to its unique geography, rich biodiversity, and traditional knowledge systems.

Agriculture: Kashmir is a major producer of apples, saffron, walnuts, and handicrafts like Pashmina wool.

Tourism Potential: Scenic beauty, pilgrimage sites like Amarnath, and adventure tourism make it an economic asset.

Ecological Importance: Home to unique Himalayan flora and fauna, glaciers, and rivers feeding the plains of South Asia.

4. Cultural and Religious Importance
Diverse Heritage: A blend of Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic traditions, with a deep spiritual history.
Cultural Identity: Kashmiri language, literature (like Lal Ded and Sheikh ul-Alam), crafts, and music form a unique part of South Asian culture.

Religious Sensitivity: Sites like the Hazratbal shrine, Sheikh Noor Din, Amarnath Cave (Hindu) and shrines of Sufi saints are spiritually important.

5. Global Attention
International Diplomacy: Kashmir has been a subject of United Nations resolutions and global diplomatic concern, especially due to nuclear capabilities of India,China and Pakistan.

Human Rights Focus: Media and organizations worldwide monitor Kashmir for issues related to conflict, security measures, and civil liberties.

Indian Scientists Isolate Potent Bioactive Compounds from Himalayan Medicinal Plants

By: Sheikh GULZAR
Head, Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre

https://jkmpic.blogspot.com

Sheikh Gulzar

India Boosts Traditional Medicine Research with New AYUSH Initiatives

India has a rich history and tradition in the use of medicinal plants, which are integral to its traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and homeopathy. Research and Development (R&D) in medicinal plants in India is a vibrant field that spans traditional knowledge, modern scientific research, and industrial development. The country’s biodiversity and ancient medical heritage make it a global leader in medicinal plant R&D.

Key Areas of R&D in Medicinal Plants in India

1. Traditional Medicine Systems and Integration
• Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani: These systems rely heavily on medicinal plants. R&D efforts focus on standardizing formulations, validating traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods, and integrating these systems with allopathic medicine.
• Ethnobotanical Studies: Research into indigenous and tribal knowledge of medicinal plants is critical for preserving and documenting traditional uses, which often serve as a basis for further scientific research.
2. Phytochemistry and Drug Discovery
• Bioactive Compound Isolation: Indian R&D focuses on isolating and characterizing bioactive compounds from medicinal plants for potential therapeutic use.
• Phytopharmaceuticals: Companies and research institutions work on developing standardized plant extracts and formulations with defined therapeutic effects. Examples include research on plants like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Neem (Azadirachta indica), and Turmeric (Curcuma longa).
• New Drug Development: Collaborations between Indian pharmaceutical companies and research institutes often focus on the discovery of new drugs derived from plants, targeting diseases like cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases.
3. Clinical Research and Validation
• Clinical Trials: Rigorous clinical research is conducted to validate the efficacy and safety of plant-based treatments. For example, many Ayurvedic formulations undergo clinical testing to be accepted in modern medical practice.
• Safety and Toxicology Studies: Toxicological evaluations ensure the safety of traditional and new herbal medicines, which is essential for gaining regulatory approval.
4. Conservation and Sustainable Utilization
• Conservation of Medicinal Plants: India’s R&D in this area includes projects aimed at conserving endangered medicinal plant species, both in situ (within their natural habitats) and ex situ (in botanical gardens and seed banks).
• Sustainable Harvesting Practices: Research focuses on sustainable practices for cultivating and harvesting medicinal plants, particularly those in high demand, to prevent overexploitation.
• National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB): The NMPB, under the Ministry of AYUSH, plays a pivotal role in promoting the conservation, cultivation, and sustainable use of medicinal plants in India.
5. Standardization and Quality Control
• Quality Standards: Developing standardized processes for cultivation, extraction, and formulation of medicinal plant products is a major focus area. This ensures consistent quality and efficacy of herbal medicines.
• Good Agricultural Practices (GAP): The adoption of GAP for medicinal plants is crucial for ensuring the quality of raw materials used in herbal products.
• Quality Control Laboratories: India has established laboratories for testing the quality of medicinal plants and their products. These labs ensure that products meet national and international standards.
6. Biotechnology and Genomics
• Plant Biotechnology: Advances in plant tissue culture, genetic engineering, and molecular biology are used to enhance the yield of medicinal plants and produce bioactive compounds more efficiently.
• Genomic Studies: R&D efforts in genomics help in understanding the genetic makeup of medicinal plants, which can lead to improved cultivation techniques and the discovery of new medicinal properties.
7. Regulatory and Policy Support
• Regulatory Framework: The Ministry of AYUSH, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) provide regulatory and policy support for R&D in medicinal plants.
• Patent Protection: India has developed a Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) to prevent biopiracy and ensure that traditional knowledge is properly documented and protected under intellectual property rights (IPR).

Major Institutions Involved in Medicinal Plant R&D in India

1. National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB): Focuses on promoting the cultivation and conservation of medicinal plants and providing support for R&D in this area.
2. Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS): Conducts and coordinates research on Ayurveda, including medicinal plant research.
3. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR): Engages in biomedical research, including studies on medicinal plants and herbal drugs.
4. Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI): A premier research institution focusing on drug discovery and development, including plant-based drugs.
5. Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre (JKMPIC): Specializes in the study of medicinal plants found in the Himalayan region.
6. Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP): Engages in R&D on medicinal and aromatic plants, including phytochemistry, genetics, and biotechnology.
7. National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI): Focuses on botanical research, including the identification and conservation of medicinal plants.

Commercialization and Market Potential

• Phytopharmaceutical Industry: The Indian herbal medicine market is growing rapidly, driven by the increasing demand for natural products. Indian companies are developing standardized herbal medicines and nutraceuticals for both domestic and international markets.
• Export of Medicinal Plants and Products: India is a major exporter of medicinal plants and herbal products, including essential oils, extracts, and finished products. The demand for Indian medicinal plants in global markets continues to rise, particularly in Europe and North America.

Challenges and Opportunities

• Biodiversity Conservation: Balancing commercial exploitation with the need for conservation is a challenge. Overharvesting and habitat loss threaten the sustainability of some medicinal plants.
• Quality Control: Ensuring consistent quality and standardization of herbal products remains a challenge, especially for exports.
• Intellectual Property: Protecting traditional knowledge and ensuring equitable benefit-sharing with indigenous communities is crucial for ethical R&D practices.

India's vast biodiversity, coupled with its rich heritage of traditional medicine, provides immense opportunities for R&D in medicinal plants. With continued focus on conservation, sustainable utilization, and modern scientific validation, India is well-positioned to be a global leader in medicinal plant research and development.

Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, (TKDL)

Good Agricultural Practices, (GAP)

Conservation of Medicinal Plants,

Kashmir hub to 2100 species of medicinal, fruit & aromatic plants

Srinagar, Feb 5: Jammu and Kahsmir is home to around 2100 species of medicinal and aromatic plants with most of them found in the forests of the Valley, experts said. Experts said all these herbs were beneficial to man in one way or the other.

 “There is a tremendous potential of medicinal and aromatic plants in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, especially in Kashmir. The entire Kashmir vale is having this natural wealth in abundance,” said Director, Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction  Centre (JKMPIC), Sheikh GULZAAR.

He said forest institutions must include medicinal and aromatic plants in “major forest produce” like they have included timber.

“These plants are considered as minor forest produce. They may be minor by quantity, but so far as their value is concerned, they are worth crores of rupees, which may outnumber the potential of timber,” said Sheikh GULZAAR.

He said there were number of uses of both medicinal and aromatic plants. “A medicinal plant namely Texus baccata Linn, secrets an anti-insect drug called Taxol, which has got a very high medicinal value,” said Sheikh GULZAAR.      

To name a few other traditional medicinal herbs, the very popular Artemisia absinthium is used for curing Ascaris (round worms), Rheum emodi Wall for useful in dyspepsia, ulcers and wounds for quick healing, Valeriana jatamansi Jonesis used in ladies’ tonic, where as Aconitum heterophyllum secretes essential alcoholides.

“Then Origanum vulgare cashmeriana, a gynecological product, has got a huge demand both in national and international markets. Kashmir is the only place in South Asia , Origanum vulgare cashmeriana is useful in Bath to ladies after child birth; antiseptic.. So this is the right place for Origanum vulgare cashmeriana, for the topography here is good and environment and temperature are also conducive for this product,” he said.

Globally, he said, people were moving from allopathic medicines to natural remedies because of “least chances of side-effects in them and their affordability.”

Some of the aromatic plants found in forests include wild Rose, Lavender, Rosemarry, and Juniper. “Although wild rose is not abundant in forests, however it can be cultivated there,” he said.

Sheikh GULZAAR said aromatic plants usually secrete essential oils “that are used in making perfumes, soaps, rose oil, cosmetics, confectionaries and so on.” He said the rose oil extracted from Kashmir has been found to much better than that of China and other countries.

An aromatic plant called Jurinea dolomiaea Boiss is used in incense sticks, Dyscorea is used in soaps, where as Pyrethrum secretes a natural anti-mosquito insecticide.

“The anti-mosquito insecticide that we generally get in markets is not natural but synthetic, besides it is not environment-friendly. However, we have got a good natural anti-mosquito insecticide, chemically called Pyrithine, which may not be available in high contents here, but Kashmiri temperature is ideal for the aromatic herb locally called Pyrethrum, which secretes this natural insecticide,” he said.

 “There was a time when this herb was cultivated in South Kashmir region  by Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre (JKMPIC), ” he added.

Sheikh GULZAAR said there were also some aromatic plants “that can be used for food as well.” “For instance (Black cumin) plant is both an edible and aromatic plant,” he said.  

He said earlier apart from growing in forests, some valuable herbs would grow in Srinagar city as well. “There were a number of natural herbs found here, for which we didn’t need to go to the forests. Some of these were  Oak-Quercus robur Colchicum Luteum,Saffron  (Crocus sativus Linn), Marijuana-Cannabis cashmiriana, Hawthorn (Crataegus  oxycantha), Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea), Celosia Linn, Pyrethrum, Malus communis, Prunus armeniaca, Prunus serotina, Cedrus deodar,  Aeaxulus indica Colebr, Capsicum annum, Ginkgo biloba Seeds,Wild Cherry, Sweet Cherry, Pomengranate , Sweet Appricort, Apple, Kewi, Plum, Lukat, Peach, Almond, Walnut Grapes, Sweet Chestnut, Ginkgo biloba , Althaea officinalis, cypress cashmiriana ,Ceratonia siliqua, Viola serpentine cashmiriana (Bunafsha),  Dioscorea  deltoidea, Saussurea costus cashmiriana, Gladiolus  , Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens), Atropa Belladona , Kuth (Saussuria lappa), Phytolacca acinosa, Rosmarinus officinalisetc, Rosemerry.

In order to popularize medicinal plants, particularly those used in  Unani,Ayurvedic/Hemopathy, The Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre  is  one of the premier  Agriculture, Horticulture & Floriculture based institution involved in production, development, introduction, trading and manufacturing of  Fruit, Medicinal Plants, Vegetable seeds of Kashmir.

For Planting materials
Available in : 15th Feb- 15th March (Every Year)
Some plants are available in Polybag/without Polybag

For Seed materials
Available in : January - December (Full Year)
(Depending on availability)
Available in With and without Poly bag and seeds Available in our Centre.
Fruiting years will be Depend on Your State or country climate.

Seeds and planting materials would be supplied against advance payment depending upon the availability at JKMPIC Headquarter/ International Information Resource Centers.

Get more details for seed/planting material:-

The Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre
POB: 667 GPO Srinagar SGR J&K 190001
Ph: 01933-223705
Mob: 09858986794
e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com

home: http://jkmpic.blogspot.com

(Hindi)

कश्मीर औषधीय, फल एवं सुगंधित पौधों की 2100 प्रजातियों के लिए हब

श्रीनगर, 5 फरवरी: जम्मू Kahsmir उनमें से ज्यादातर के साथ 2100 के आसपास औषधीय और सुगंधित पौधों की प्रजातियों के लिए घर है घाटी के जंगलों में पाया, विशेषज्ञों ने कहा. विशेषज्ञों ने कहा कि इन सभी जड़ी बूटियों एक ही रास्ता या अन्य में मनुष्य के लिए लाभदायक थे.

उन्होंने कहा कि जम्मू और कश्मीर राज्य में औषधीय और सुगंधित पौधों की एक जबरदस्त क्षमता कश्मीर में, विशेष रूप से है. , निदेशक, जम्मू और कश्मीर मेडिसिनल प्लांट्स परिचय सैंटर (JKMPIC), Sheikh GULZAAR कहा पूरे कश्मीर घाटी बहुतायत में इस प्राकृतिक संपदा चल रहा है ".

उन्होंने कहा कि वन संस्थानों में औषधीय और सुगंधित पौधों में शामिल हैं "प्रमुख वन उपज" की तरह वे लकड़ी शामिल होना चाहिए.
"ये पौधे के रूप में लघु वन उपज माना जाता है. शेख GULZAAR ने कहा कि वे मात्रा से मामूली हो, लेकिन अभी तक के रूप में उनके मूल्य का सवाल है, वे करोड़ों रुपये की है, जो लकड़ी की संभावना बढ़ सकती हैं. '

उन्होंने कहा कि दोनों औषधीय और सुगंधित पौधों के उपयोग के नंबर थे. "एक औषधीय पौधे अर्थात् Texus baccata Linn, रहस्य एक विरोधी कीट Taxol नामक दवा है, जो एक बहुत ही उच्च औषधीय मूल्य मिल गया है," Sheikh GULZAAR कहा.

कुछ अन्य पारंपरिक औषधीय जड़ी बूटियों का नाम, बहुत लोकप्रिय Artemisia चिरायता उपयोगी के लिए अपच अल्सर, और त्वरित उपचार के लिए घावों में (गोल कृमि) Ascaris, Rheum emodi दीवार के इलाज के लिए प्रयोग किया जाता है, Valeriana jatamansi Jonesis 'महिलाओं के टॉनिक, जहां के रूप में प्रयोग किया जाता Aconitum heterophyllum आवश्यक alcoholides secretes.

"तो फिर Origanum vulgare cashmeriana, एक gynecological उत्पाद, दोनों राष्ट्रीय और अंतर्राष्ट्रीय बाजारों में भारी मांग हो गया है. कश्मीर दक्षिण एशिया में ही जगह है, Origanum vulgare cashmeriana स्नान में बच्चे के जन्म के बाद महिलाओं के लिए उपयोगी है, एंटीसेप्टिक .. उन्होंने कहा, तो यह Origanum vulgare cashmeriana के लिए सही स्थलाकृति के लिए जगह है, यहाँ है अच्छा है और वातावरण और तापमान भी इस उत्पाद के लिए अनुकूल हैं ".

विश्व स्तर पर, उन्होंने कहा, लोगों को एलोपैथिक दवाओं से की वजह से प्राकृतिक उपचार के लिए आगे बढ़ रहे थे "उन्हें और उनके पक्ष में सामर्थ्य का प्रभाव कम से कम संभावना है."

सुरभित जंगलों में पाया पौधों में से कुछ जंगली गुलाब, लैवेंडर, Rosemarry, और जुनिपर शामिल हैं. ", यद्यपि जंगली गुलाब जंगलों में प्रचुर मात्रा में नहीं है, लेकिन यह वहाँ खेती की जा सकती" उन्होंने कहा.

Sheikh GULZAAR कहा. कर रही है कि इत्र, साबुन, तेल, सौंदर्य प्रसाधन, confectionaries और इतने पर गुलाब में किया जाता है "उन्होंने कहा कश्मीर से निकाले तेल गुलाब ज्यादा चीन और अन्य की तुलना में बेहतर करने के लिए पाया गया है सुगंधित पौधों आमतौर पर आवश्यक तेलों छिपाना देशों के.

एक खुशबूदार संयंत्र बुलाया Jurinea dolomiaea Boiss लाठी, Dyscorea साबुन, जहां के रूप में Pyrethrum एक प्राकृतिक विरोधी मच्छर कीटनाशक secretes में प्रयोग किया जाता है धूप में प्रयोग किया जाता है.

"विरोधी मच्छर कीटनाशक है कि हम आम तौर पर बाजार में लाने के प्राकृतिक सिंथेटिक नहीं है, लेकिन, इसके अलावा यह पर्यावरण के अनुकूल नहीं है. उन्होंने कहा, हालांकि, हम एक अच्छा प्राकृतिक विरोधी मच्छर कीटनाशक, रासायनिक Pyrithine कहा जाता है, जो उच्च सामग्री में यहाँ उपलब्ध नहीं हो सकता है मिल गया है, लेकिन कश्मीरी तापमान खुशबूदार जड़ी बूटी के लिए आदर्श है स्थानीय Pyrethrum है, जो इस प्राकृतिक कीटनाशक secretes बुलाया गया ".

 "वहाँ एक समय था जब इस जड़ी बूटी दक्षिण कश्मीर क्षेत्र में जम्मू और कश्मीर मेडिसिनल प्लांट्स परिचय केन्द्र (JKMPIC) द्वारा खेती की गई थी" उन्होंने कहा.

Sheikh GULZAAR कहा. "है कि अच्छी तरह के रूप में भोजन के लिए इस्तेमाल किया जा सकता है" "वहाँ भी थे कुछ सुगंधित पौधों (काला जीरा) उदाहरण के संयंत्र के लिए, वह दोनों एक खाद्य और खुशबूदार संयंत्र है" कहा.

वह अलग पहले जंगलों में बढ़ती से कहा, कुछ बहुमूल्य जड़ी बूटियों श्रीनगर शहर में भी होने लगा. "वहाँ थे प्राकृतिक जड़ी बूटियों के एक नंबर यहाँ पाया है, जिसके लिए हम जंगलों में जाने की जरूरत नहीं थी. इनमें से कुछ ओक-Quercus robur Colchicum luteum, केसर (Crocus sativus Linn), मारिजुआना, कैनबिस cashmiriana, (Crataegus oxycantha) नागफनी, Clary (Salvia sclarea) बाबा, Celosia Linn, Pyrethrum, Malus communis, आलू armeniaca, आलू serotina थे, Cedrus देवदार, Aeaxulus इंडिका Colebr, शिमला मिर्च वर्ष, जिन्कगो biloba बीज, वाइल्ड चेरी, मीठा चेरी, Pomengranate, मीठा Appricort, एप्पल, Kewi, बेर, Lukat, पीच, बादाम, अखरोट अंगूर, मीठा अखरोट, जिन्कगो biloba, Althaea Officinalis, सरू cashmiriana, Ceratonia siliqua, Viola चक्करदार cashmiriana (Bunafsha), Dioscorea deltoidea, Saussurea costus cashmiriana, gladiolus, देखा (Serenoa repens) Palmetto, Atropa Belladona, Kuth (Saussuria lappa), Phytolacca acinosa, Rosmarinus officinalisetc, Rosemerry.

आदेश में औषधीय पौधों, विशेष रूप से उन यूनानी, आयुर्वेदिक में प्रयोग किया जाता / Hemopathy, जम्मू और कश्मीर औषधीय पौधों का परिचय केंद्र एक प्रमुख कृषि बागवानी, फूलों की खेती और उत्पादन आधारित, विकास, परिचय, व्यापार में शामिल संस्था और फलों के उत्पादन में से एक है लोकप्रिय बनाने के लिए , औषधीय पौधे, कश्मीर की सब्जी बीज.

सामग्री रोपण के लिए
में उपलब्ध है: 15 फ़रवरी - 15 मार्च (हर साल)
कुछ पौधों में polybag polybag बिना / उपलब्ध हैं

बीज सामग्री के लिए
में उपलब्ध है: जनवरी - दिसम्बर (पूर्ण वर्ष)
(उपलब्धता के आधार पर)
साथ में और पाली बैग के बिना उपलब्ध है और बीज हमारे केन्द्र में उपलब्ध है.
फलने साल आपके राज्य या देश जलवायु पर निर्भर हो जाएगा.

बीज और पौध रोपण सामग्री अग्रिम में उपलब्धता के आधार पर भुगतान के खिलाफ की आपूर्ति की जाएगी JKMPIC मुख्यालय / अंतर्राष्ट्रीय सूचना संसाधन केंद्र.

बीज / रोपण सामग्री के लिए और अधिक जानकारी प्राप्त करें: -
जम्मू और कश्मीर औषधीय पौधों का परिचय केंद्र
POB: 667 जीपीओ श्रीनगर SGR जम्मू और कश्मीर 190001
फोन: 01933-223705
भीड़: 09858986794
ई मेल: jkmpic@gmail.com
घर: Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre