TURA, Nov 19: Garo Hills region has got its first-ever Ayush Herbal Garden during the observation of 5th National Ayurveda Day.
North Tura MLA, Thomas A Sangma, on Thursday inaugurated the Ayush Herbal Garden-cum-Ayush Gram at Asananggre near Tura.
The legislator, during the programme, emphasised on the varied biodiversity, including medicinal plants and herbs, available in the region.
Sangma added that the region is blessed in abundance with natural herbs and people should be sensitised to preserve these medicinal plants and herbs, and also advocate its use as medicines.
Stating that the practice of traditional herbal medicines in the region has remained prevalent since time immemorial, he also called for the preservation of the practice.
The MLA also urged everyone to not only plant and preserve the herbal medicines in the Herbal Garden but also in their respective homes.
At a time when COVID-19 has been wreaking havoc globally and health experts have promoted immunity-boosting measures for people to cheat death, Sangma said that consuming Me’mang Narang (Citrus indica) and other local vegetables daily has helped him stay fit and boosted his immune system.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, during the programme said the Garo Hills is an abode to a plethora of medicinal plants and herbs that also include some rare species of plants.
Calling Garo Hills a ‘herbal garden’, the DC has also suggested that Ayush should, along with the help from central team, find out preventive measures to safeguard the age-old practice of traditional herbal medicines.