LUCKNOW: All the schools and colleges in the state will now have Aarogya Vatika to make students aware of the importance of medicinal plants, deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma said on Saturday.
Sharma was speaking at the awareness campaign of Aarogya Vatika organised by NBT Lucknow and PHD Chamber of Commerce (UP Chapter).
“Every household in our country has been using plants with medicinal properties since centuries. Some even worship them. Though these age-old customs and usage of these plants had been forgotten by many, after Covid-19, people understood their importance again and have started using them in their daily life. Our aim is to make the students understand this too and begin Aarogya Vatika initiative in every school,” said Sharma.
Aarogya Vatika is a special health corner initiated by Navbharat Times where herbs and plants with high medicinal value and the ones that are immunity boosters will be planted in various city parks in different areas to make citizens aware about the health benefits of these plants available in our surroundings.
Speaking on the occasion, scientist at the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Rehmankhera, RA Ram highlighted how the public could grow plants at home through kitchen gardens and terrace gardens and how waste could be converted into compost.
Panelists threw light on properties of various medicinal plants and how we can consume them in illness.
Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) scientist Rajesh Verma said the patients who have been suffering from fever should consume 'Kalmegh' (green chiretta).
Similarly those who are suffering from Ulcer or Sciatica can use Sarpagandha (Indian Snakeroot), which can be easily planted and grown at home. Consuming the plants with medicinal properties also benefits in controlling diabetes and obesity, he added.
Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has also started using new techniques in its projects through which results in increasing carbon credit.
