SHIMLA 4th February 2012 : Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister said that 7.32 percent of the total bio-diversity of the country was present in Himachal Pradesh and varied climatic conditions of the State were conductive for cultivation of herbs. He was speaking at the one day Regional Conference of Arogya Bharti-II, at Una today.
Prof. Dhumal said that from time immemorial, herbs found in Himalayas were used to make Ayurvedic medicines. Himachal Pradesh being one of the Himalayan State provides for one of the best areas for cultivation of herbs. He said that the State Government was promoting herbiculture in a big way so that besides using herbs in Ayurvedic medicines, income of farmers could be supplemented.
Chief Minister said that traditional medicine system was still being used to treat a number of diseases. He said that the State Government had initiated a number of programmes to strengthen Ayurved system of medicines in the State. He said that to provide medical treatment to people at their doorsteps, the State Government had given relaxation upto 53 years to Ayurvdeic doctors in recruitment. He reiterated the resolve of the State Government to strengthen Ayurved in the State so that every person could lead a healthy life and Himachal emerges as number one in health sector.
Prof. Dhumal lauded the efforts of the organisers of Arogya Bharti Regional Conference for brining about awareness amongst masses about Ayurved system of medicines. He said that worship of elements life earth, water, air, mountains and fire as inscribed in the Vedas bear a testimony to the awareness towards environment amongst people of that era. He said that Ayurved treatment was based on use of herbs and it had no side effects.
Chief Minister launched the website of Arogya Bharti and also released a souvenir on this occasion.
Earlier, Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal inaugurated and dedicated Rs. 50 lakh residential accommodation for the employees of Animal Husbandry, inaugurated Rs. one crore veterinary hospital building and Primary Health Centre built at a cost of Rs. 75 lakh at Dehlan to the local people.
He expressed hope that these developmental milestones would go a long way in enriching the lives of the people of the area. Dr. Amar Bahadur Thakur, Organizational Head, Arogya Bharti, Dr. R.K. Mutarkar, Director, Ayush, Dr. Dinesh Katoch, Joint Adviser, Ayurved, Govt. of India also spoke on the occasion.
Dr. Rakesh Pandit, Coordinator, Arogya Bharti welcomed the Chief Minister and thanked him for inaugurating the conference. Shri Satpal Singh Satti, Shri Virender Kanwar, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, Shri Praveen Sharma, Vice Chairman, Water Management Board, Smt. Santosh Saini, Chairperson, HIMFED, Shri Vijay Rana, Vice Chairman, State BJP, Shri Balbir Bagga, State BJP SC Morcha, Shri Prem Singh Draik, Director, Ayurved, prominent people and senior officers of the State Government were present on the occasion.
