MP's First RET Medicinal Plantation Drive Begins

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): In a groundbreaking green initiative, Holkar Science College, in collaboration with the World Book of Records, is leading the state’s first-ever plantation drive focused on Rare, Endangered and Threatened (RET) medicinal plants.

Spearheaded by professor Dr Sanjay Vyas, the campaign is not just about tree plantation but a step toward preserving India’s endangered Ayurvedic heritage.

“Until now, plantation drives typically included mango, neem, tamarind, or Ashoka saplings,” said Dr Vyas. “But we’re planting species that are nearly extinct in the wild, severely affected by deforestation and large-scale extraction for Ayurvedic industries.”

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The plants being revived in this initiative include Bixa orellana (Sindoor), known for its anti-inflammatory properties, Terminalia chebula (Harra), which aids digestion and carries strong antibacterial qualities, Pterocarpus marsupium (Bijaa), a natural support for diabetes management often used as an insulin substitute, Schleichera oleosa (Kusum), effective in treating skin disorders and also as an antibacterial herb, Grewia asiatica (Dahiman), known for its strong anti-bacterial action, Haldina cordifolia (Haldu), used traditionally as a natural antiseptic and Mitragyna parvifolia (Kalam), widely used as a natural painkiller.

Many more such rare and medicinally valuable species are part of this unique plantation drive.

The initiative has already reached four major sites: Anandvan Society, Prakriti Colony, the high court premises and the lower court campus. Now, it is set to continue at Holkar College on Saturday.

The project has received strong support from the forest department, including principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) PC Dubey, divisional forest officer (DFO) Pradeep Mishra and sub-divisional officer (SDO) Dhirendra Pratap Singh. Saplings are being sourced from biodiversity hotspots like Tamia in Chhindwara and Pachmarhi known for its rare flora.

Recognising the campaign’s unmatched value, the World Book of Records has endorsed it. The organisation is committed to honouring individuals involved in the drive for their extraordinary contribution to ecological and medicinal conservation.