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India Steps Up Conservation of Traditional Medicine Heritage with Strategic MoUs on Rare Medicinal Plants and Ayurvedic Knowledge Dissemination

In a move to safeguard India’s traditional medicine heritage, the Ayush Ministry signed two key MoUs to conserve rare medicinal plants and establish a national medicinal garden at AIIMS Delhi, blending Ayurveda with modern science.

• By PharmaNews Live Desk
• New Delhi
• Aug 05, 2025

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India has taken a significant step toward preserving its ancient heritage of traditional medicine and medicinal plant biodiversity with the signing of two major Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) by the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) under the Ministry of Ayush. The agreements, formalized on August 4, 2025, in New Delhi, are aimed at conserving rare and endangered medicinal plant species and fostering deeper engagement with the principles and practices of Ayurveda.

The MoUs were signed in the presence of Union Minister of State for Ayush (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, at Nirman Bhawan. Senior government officials and institutional representatives from the Ayush ministry, AIIMS, and other collaborating organizations also attended the signing ceremony.

The first agreement, between NMPB and Pune-based IshVed-Bioplants Venture, is focused on the large-scale conservation and propagation of rare, endangered, and threatened (RET) medicinal plants using tissue culture methods. These plants form the cornerstone of India’s traditional medicine systems—Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and others—and are vital for both the domestic Ayush industry and global exports.

The initiative seeks to establish a sustainable supply chain for these high-demand species while preserving their germplasm and genetic diversity. By leveraging advanced biotechnology and plant tissue culture techniques, the project aims to address the growing scarcity of certain species and reduce pressure on wild habitats, ensuring ecological balance and long-term resource availability.

The second MoU was signed between NMPB, the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. It envisions the creation of a national-level medicinal plants garden within the AIIMS campus—an initiative that will serve as a dynamic knowledge platform for students, researchers, patients, and visitors.

The proposed garden will showcase a wide range of medicinal plant species used in Ayurvedic therapies and traditional healing practices. It is expected to function as a living classroom where modern medicine and ancient wisdom intersect, creating opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and research. Officials said that by making medicinal flora accessible and visible to the public, the project will help deepen understanding of India’s botanical wealth and its role in holistic healthcare.

Speaking at the event, Minister Prataprao Jadhav said the initiatives are aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a healthier and self-reliant India by 2047. “These agreements symbolize our resolve to protect and promote India’s invaluable traditional medicine heritage. By integrating our ancient Ayurvedic knowledge systems with modern science and research capabilities, we are building a healthcare model that is sustainable, inclusive, and uniquely Indian,” he said.

The signing ceremony was also attended by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush; Dr. M. Srinivas, Director, AIIMS; and Ankita Mishra Bundela, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, along with senior representatives from NMPB, AIIA, and IshVed-Bioplants.

A statement from the Ministry of Ayush underlined that the two MoUs mark a strategic milestone in the government’s efforts to revitalize India’s traditional medicinal practices. Through a combination of scientific conservation, educational outreach, and institutional collaboration, the ministry aims to secure the future of Ayurvedic healthcare while preserving India’s rich medicinal plant legacy for generations to come.