Preserve medicinal plants, says DC

Speaking at a workshop on ‘Protection of medicinal plants in Kodagu and its conservation’ organised by the forest department here on Wednesday, he said “medicinal plants were being used from time immemorial. Ayurveda holds a prominent place in Indian medicine system. However, the forest resource is depleting day by day. This has affected the rainfall and the weather. The forest department should give emphasis to the conservation of medicinal plants.”

He said “tourists visit Kodagu to enjoy the beauty of the nature. There is a need to conserve medicinal plants too.”

Zilla Panchayat President Shantheyanda Ravikushalappa said there is a relationship between the humanbeings and the forest. “All of us should come forward to protect the forest,” the ZP chief said and added that the workshop should be held at the hobli level. The Zilla Panchayat will provide all the support for it.

Zilla Panchayat CEO N Krishnappa said there are good number of medicinal plants in Kodagu district. There is a need to preserve it.

Kodagu Circle Conservator of Forest M V Krishne Gowda said there are thousands of varieties of medicinal plants in the world. There is a need to preserve it. “If we fail to preserve it, then we may not be able to see it in the future.”

Botanist Dr M D Sathyanarayana Bhat said several villages in Kodagu are named after medicinal plants. Kodagu is known as biodiversity hotspot.

He also handed over 2,500 ‘honne’ seeds to Kodagu Circle Conservator of Forest on the occasion.

DCF K S Anand welcomed the gathering.