The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India and National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for mutual collaboration to explore the possibility of cooperation, convergence and synergy and to have a platform for exchange of information between both the organizations and to have a biotechnological sector.

The priority medicinalplant species Sidacordifolia, Boswellia serrata Nordostachysjatamansi, Bacopa monnieri and R&D activities on various aspects of medicinal plants.

With an aim of making sustainable availability and use of medicinal plants, both the organizations propose to support R&D proposals in the following thrust areas 1. Finding substitutes and sustainable alternative plant parts for Threatened (RET) medicinal plant species. 2. Development of bio-actives and plant materials. 3. Elite identification, development of 4. Varietal development and establishment of quality standards in respect of norms related to toxicity and heavy metal content to increase acceptability of botanicals in the market. 5. Non-destructive methods and sustainable harvesting for asCommiphorawightii. 6. Value addition and technology development through biotechnology tools for species such as Bacopa monnieri and 7. Ecological Niche modeling on RET medicinal plants species.

For further details: manoj.modi@nic.in.

With an aim of making sustainable availability and use of medicinal plants, both the organizations propose to support R&D proposals.