Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 23
Six medicinal plants having assured market have been identified as viable for its introduction in Nagaland. This was announced by Dr. AS Shawl, Emeritus Scientist, IIIM, CSIR, Srinagar during a one day seminar on “Industrial utilization of medicinal and aromatic plants for socio-economic development” held here today at Zonal Council Hall under the aegis of Science & technology Department and Nagaland Science & Technology Council. The six medicinal and aromatic plants having assured market identified for introduction in the state includes; Lavender, Rosemary, Mentha Pipereta, Melissa, Inula Racemosa and Rose (domacena).
Dr. Shawl told the seminar that medicinal plants were put into use from time immemorial. He said he came to popularize and culture the process of the selected aromatic plants.
Stating that one of the finest, easiest and cheapest for industrial utilization is aroma, he added that “I have selected only those plants which have very good value for national as well as international market” while disclosing that for instance that the national cost of Lavender oil is Rs. 6000-7000 per kg while the international cost if Rs.15000 per kg.
Dr. Shawl, PhD Natural Product Chemistry, who recently retired as Head of Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), formerly regional research laboratory, CSIR, Srinagar and is presently working as Emeritus Scientist in IIIM-Srinagar. He has more than 3 decades of research experience in the isolation of bioactive molecules, process development and cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants, endophytes, Mushroom and leader. He has developed end to end technology in case of aromatic plants like lavender, rose, rosemary, geranium, clarysage and which are now being sold in national and international market. These high value oils are being produced in Kashmir and have a branding image. He has the first time initiated Public-Private Partnership in case of these high value aromatic oils. He has published 85 original research papers in journals of national and international repute. He has 8 patents and 2 book chapters to his credit. He is a registered guide for Ph.D/M.Phil from University of Kashmir, GNDU-Amritsar, Jamia Hamdard, Allahabad University. He has supervised 15 students for Ph.D and an equal number for M.Phil degrees. He has organized various national and international conferences and delivered lectures in university of Wolverhampton, Birmingham (U.K). He is currently reviewer of various journals and projects and member of various committees.
Earlier, C.K. Nihekhu, secretary to the Government of Nagaland and chairman NASTEC delivered welcome address while Dr. Zavei Hiese chaired the function.
