Arunachal Pradesh State Medicinal Plants Board (APSMPB) Chairman Goruk Pordung has called for a renewed emphasis on promoting traditional medicinal knowledge and strengthening institutional infrastructure within the state. Speaking on Thursday, Pordung inaugurated the ‘Charaka’ conference hall at the APSMPB premises, a unique facility dedicated to the advancement of medicinal plant conservation and sustainable utilization.
The new conference hall is named after Acharya Charaka, the revered “Father of Ayurveda,” and represents a significant asset for the Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change. According to officials, the facility is designed to function as a premier center for high-level deliberations, capacity building, and training programs. It will host workshops and meetings centered on biodiversity conservation, traditional healthcare systems, and the development of the medicinal plant sector.
Following the inauguration, Pordung chaired the 10th general body meeting of the APSMPB to review the board’s achievements and finalize a future roadmap. The discussions focused on the critical pillars of promotion, conservation, cultivation, and value addition of the state’s diverse medicinal flora. The board aims to bridge the gap between traditional herbal wisdom and modern sustainable practices to benefit local communities and the environment.
The event saw participation from a wide range of stakeholders, including senior officers from the departments of Health, Industries, Agriculture, and Horticulture. Representatives from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), the Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, and various NGOs were also in attendance. This collaborative approach underscores the state’s commitment to integrating scientific research with indigenous knowledge to position Arunachal Pradesh as a leader in the medicinal plants domain.
