Date:07/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/07/stories/2008070756582000.htm

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Gift a plant and a lifestyle!

Shimla: The next time you attend a wedding feast or a birthday party, you can present a “healthy” gift to your dear ones without feeling the pinch in your pocket.

The Himachal Pradesh State forest department has decided to provide free of cost a medicinal plant each to citizens who wish to gift it to their friends and relatives on birthdays, marriages and marriage anniversaries.

“Those interested can take plants from the government nursery free of cost,” Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Pankaj Khullar said, adding an exchange of medicinal plants on family celebrations would help engender awareness of their properties.

Mr. Khullar said the department is planning to make the plants available in state emporiums and government stores in the long run.

Himachal Pradesh has recently launched a drive to achieve the tag of “herbal State” and promote interest and awareness in herbal medicine. The State forest department has been in touch with yoga guru Ramdev for sale of medicinal herbs to his Patanjali Yoga Peeth in bulk for preparation of medicines, Forest Minister J.P. Nadda said.

The government has decided to distribute one medicinal plant each to 12,22,000 households before August 3, the day Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal launches a plantation scheme, he said. Under this scheme, every home will get a medicinal plant suitable to the geography and climate of its location, Mr. Nadda said. — PTI