Shillong: Keeping popularity and demand for traditional medicines in mind, a project “Prioritization, identification and Mapping of Medicinal plants used in traditional medicine systems of the Khasi and Garo tribes of Meghalaya” initiated by Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) in collaboration with the University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK-Bangalore was inaugurated here at the university premises on Monday.
It was informed that the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, has allotted Rs 79.44 lakhs to the MLCU to implement this project. This project would be implemented in three years time in all the 7 districts of the State.
Speaking on the aims and objectives of the project, MLCU Project Coordinator, Melari Nongrum said they would specifically focus on prioritising 100 most useful traditional medicinal plants available in the state
Addressing the inaugural function, Chairman of KHADC, Fabian Lyngdoh said besides solving the social disorder in the State and maintaining the health of the society, solving the physiological health of the people was also important.
In his address, Antonio War, EM, KHADC informed that the District Council had already passed the “Traditional Medicine Practices Bill” in February and at present awaiting the consent of the State Governor on this Bill. He said this Bill would help in development of traditional medicines.
Prof KN Ganeshaiah, a Professor of the University of Agricultural Sciences, also spoke on the occasion.