Himachal govt mulling policy for extraction of herbs

The Himachal government was mulling formulation of a policy for extraction of rare medicinal herbs produced in the state and issues related to the export of these herbs, Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmauri informed the Assembly today.
Replying to a question of Maheshwar Singh,(Himachal Lokhit Party) on seizure of huge quantity of rare medicinal herb "Nag Chhatri" the minister said that a committee headed by Principal secretary forests was investigating the matter to ascertain the species of herbs and fixation of rates and issuing of export permits.
However, no royalty is charged on the herb Nag Chattri and the forest department only takes the export permit fee of Rs 25 as people had customary rights in the forests as per settlement.

Bharmauri informed that the forest department and police seized 15.95 quintals and 59.115 quintals of Nag Chattri during last three years and the total quantity of the herb seized was 81.17 quintals.
He said that out of this, 13.33 quintals of the herb was auctioned, 3.34 quintals was stolen and 3.205 quintals was released after charging compensation.
In reply to a question of Congress member Nand Lal, Health and Family Welfare and Revenue minister Kaul Singh Thakur said 500 patwaris shall be selected for training next year as per the announcement made by the chief minister in his budget speech.

He said he personally felt that every Patwar circle should have one patwari for smooth functioning but presently some patwaris are looking after two to four patwar circles and the total number of Patwaris was 1937 patwaris in the state.

Replying to another question of Vinod Kumar (BJP), Thakur said the state government would provide CT scan machines in all the district hospitals in first phase and later in civil hospitals, subject to availability of funds.
He said Radiologists were required to operate ultra sound machines in the hospitals but there shortage of Radiologists.
"We are putting in efforts to start Post Graduate training and diploma to meet the shortage Radiologists in the state," the minister said.