In a decision to boost cultivation of herbal and medicinal plants in the state, the Yogi Adityanath government decided to develop a 800-km network of roads coined as ‘Herbal belt’ by planting medicinal and herbal trees along its sides.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said that the government would plant trees like Peepal, Neem and Sahjan along with other herbs like Brahmi, Ashwagandha and jatrofa to promote such cultivation.
He added that the project would provide raw material for medicines and also help in curbing erosion of land.
“As per the plan, herbal gardens would be developed along 800-kilometre of national and state highways in the state. The PWD will also arrange for rainwater harvesting on these roads,” the deputy chief minister added.
Maurya further claimed that the scheme would help in development and beautification of the area and bring medicinal benefits along with promoting biodiversity.
The government move comes in the backdrop of the Centre announcing to develop and promote herbal cultivation.
In a recent address, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced that the Centre would spend Rs 4,000 crore to promote herbal cultivation in the country.
She had said that the National Medicinal Plant Board would develop 800 hectares in corridors of river Ganga for growing herbal and medical plants.
