Why in news?
The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), established to promote conservation and cultivation of India’s medicinal flora, marked its 25th anniversary with a Chintan Shivir on 11 February 2026. At the event, union ministers and experts discussed ways to make India a global hub for medicinal plants and released a new variety of Anacyclus pyrethrum.
Background
India is home to about 17,000–18,000 flowering plant species, and more than 7,000 are known to have medicinal properties. The NMPB was set up on 24 November 2000 under the Ministry of AYUSH to coordinate efforts across different ministries for conserving, cultivating and marketing medicinal plants. Its activities include in‑situ and ex‑situ conservation, research and development, certification of seeds, and creating home herbal gardens.
Key objectives and activities
- Conservation: Protecting threatened species through dedicated forest reserves and seed banks, promoting sustainable harvest and encouraging cultivation in farmers’ fields.
- Research and development: Developing agro‑techniques, conducting quality testing and validating traditional knowledge through scientific studies.
- Capacity building: Training farmers, tribal communities and entrepreneurs in cultivation methods, processing and marketing. Supporting cultivation clusters and providing subsidies.
- Quality assurance: Promoting Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACPs) and creating systems for certification and traceability.
- Public awareness: Setting up home, school and community herbal gardens to familiarise people with medicinal plants and their uses.
25th Anniversary highlights
- Roadmap for growth: Experts proposed strategies to strengthen domestic cultivation and export potential while ensuring ecological sustainability.
- New plant variety: A new variety of Anacyclus pyrethrum (Akharkara) was released to farmers, promising higher yield and active compounds used in Ayurveda and Unani medicine.
- Collaboration: Memoranda of understanding were signed between NMPB and research institutes to foster innovation and knowledge exchange.
- Focus on climate resilience: Speakers emphasised developing climate‑resilient cultivation practices to safeguard plant diversity amid changing weather patterns.
Significance
- Traditional knowledge: India’s ancient medicinal systems, including Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani, rely on plant‑based remedies. Strengthening cultivation ensures sustainable supply.
- Economic opportunity: Global demand for herbal products and nutraceuticals is rising. A robust medicinal plant sector can create jobs and boost exports.
- Conservation: Coordinated efforts help protect biodiversity and prevent overharvesting of wild species.
Conclusion
The silver jubilee of the NMPB offers an opportunity to revisit India’s immense botanical heritage. By balancing conservation with commercial development, the country can become a leader in traditional medicines while preserving its unique ecosystems.
Sources: DD News
