Kathmandu. A decision has been taken to form a task force to prepare an action plan for the sustainable collection, preservation, processing and consumption of herbs required for raw materials by the Singha Durbar Baidyakhana Development Committee.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s Health Advisor Dr. Jagdish Prasad Agrawal chaired a discussion and interaction on sustainable collection, preservation, processing and use of herbs at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar today. The decision was taken to form a task force under the coordination of Pradip KC.

Advisor Dr. Agrawal stressed that a task force should be formed immediately for the development of the committee and a blueprint for the development of the committee should be prepared within three months. He said, “For the development of the committee, necessary coordination and facilitation should be made among the various bodies concerned along with the sustainable collection of herbs. ”

On the occasion, Dr Agrawal stressed the need to increase the number of medicines produced from Baidyakhana by making maximum use of the herbs available in the country and export to foreign countries in the coming days.

Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Narayan Prasad Sharma Duwadi, said that coordination among the bodies concerned was necessary to resolve the problems seen in the collection of medicinal herbs. He said, “There is a need for necessary coordination and facilitation among the bodies concerned for the proper utilization of raw materials as well as improvement in the laws. ”

Kedar Nath Sharma, secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, said that the ministry would facilitate the collection and use of raw materials required for Ayurvedic medicines. Secretary at the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs and General Administration, Madan Bhujel, pointed out the need for coordination among the stakeholders and legal clarity for the collection of herbs.

Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra stressed on the need to go for truck farming by collaborating with the farmers to increase the production of herbs. He also stressed on the need for more cooperation with the herbal companies.

Usha Rijal (Joshi), officiating general manager of Herbs Production and Processing Company Limited, said that raw materials are the main problem in the production of Ayurveda. He said that the company can be developed only if the production of herbs can be done on a large scale. He also said that if the price support is fixed on the raw materials, it will be easier to collect.

Thakur Bhandari, president of the Federation of Community Forest Users Nepal, pointed out the need for reforms in various laws for the collection and consumption of herbs in the community forests. He said that the law does not allow the collection of sal leaves from the community forest to make dunatpari.

Director General of the Department of Botany, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Rai, said that some laws including the Public Procurement Act should be amended to increase the production of herbs. During the discussion and interaction, Executive Director of the Baidhyakhana Development Committee, Dr. Pradip KC gave a presentation on the issue of Singha Durbar Baidyakhana Development Committee and also presented the necessary suggestions to solve the problem.