GUWAHATI, May 31 - Highlighting the rich biodiversity of the North East, Ramdev�s associate and Patanjali�s managing director Acharya Balkrishna today called for documentation of the herbs and roots available in the region.
Speaking at a daylong conclave of health ministers of the north-eastern States here, Acharya Balkrishna said at present herbs and roots are coming to India from China and African countries, whereas the North East could have met a bulk of the requirements in the entire country.
�The terrain and topography of the region, which many dub as disadvantageous, can be an opportunity for us. The region is sitting on a treasure. Unfortunately, there has been no documentation of the herbs and roots found in the region so far, according to my knowledge,� he said.
Balkrishna, who perhaps has the maximum number of research papers on herbal medicines to his credit, also said the traditional healing systems in the region should be promoted and the sector organised.
�We should conduct research on the practices, if they are actually effective. Around 75 per cent of the people here depend on the traditional system of medicine. We should work on their claims. The healers should be then trained. There is a lot of potential in the traditional healing system,� he said, adding that good quality Ayurvedic medicine is not something commonly available.
Upset that the health ministers of the region are talking only about infrastructural bottlenecks in the healthcare scenario in the region, Balkrishna said focus should also be given to decrease the number of patients as �prevention is better than cure.�
He said Patanjali is ready to partner with the Assam government in opening yoga centres at the block level and in schools.
On Patanjali�s manufacturing unit recently set up at Sonitpur district, Acharya said a sum of about Rs 1,000 crore has been invested in the 1,000-tonne capacity plant and another Rs 400-Rs 500 crore would be pumped in soon.
