In a bid to give a thrust to the herbal drugs industry under its ‘Make in Chhattisgarh’ vision, the state government is contemplating to start manufacture of Ayurvedic medicines on a large scale. As per the plan, Ayurvedic drug manufacturers would be invited to set up herbal drug production units in the state, based on public private partnership (PPP) mode.

The demand for plant-based therapeutics is increasing in national as well as international market as they are natural products, non-narcotic, having no side-effects, easily available at affordable prices and sometimes the only source of healthcare available to the poor. Besides, in states like Chhattisgarh, it provides the means of livelihood to a large population, specially the tribals who are involved in collection of medicinal plants and fruits.

The Chhattisgarh State Medicinal Plant Board, in its survey, has identified occurrence of around 2,021 medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in the state. They are mainly found in Abhujmad region, Bailadilla hills, Kanger Reserve and Kurchel valley in Bastar division and in some parts of Surguja division in north Chhattisgarh.

Although presently about two dozen products of medicinal plants are being manufactured in the state which are sold through six commercial centres of forest department, it is being done on a very small scale. Chyawanprash, pickles of Amla, syrup of bhel, triphala churna powder are among the herbal products manufactured by the forest department.

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