NRIs urge govt to develop herbal tourism on Gandhamardan hill

Bhubaneswar: Odias living abroad working in herbal food supplements and herbal medicine sector have decided to move the state govt to develop herbal tourism in Harishankar and Nrusinghnath, two religious places located on either side of Gandhamardan hill.Odia diaspora members said they will brainstorm on how to make herbal tourism a reality in Gandhamardan hill, considered a treasure trove of medicinal plants and herbs.Adrish Brahmadatta, an ayurveda practitioner and health entrepreneur in Bangkok, said the natural resources of Gandhamardan remain untapped. It is high time, through the exchange of knowledge and ideas with Odia people working in a similar field, its resources were used, he said. "Bangkok annually sees Rs 150 crore of business from herbal medicine supplements and medicines. Its marketing and packaging are completely need-based. Gandhamardan is undoubtedly a rare treasure that has long been neglected. We need a scientific approach to do more research on the herbs of Gandhamardan," said Brahmadatta.Experts said the vegetation of Gandhamardan has been divided into six major types, ranging from tropical semi-evergreen forest to bamboo to grassland. A report revealed there are about 2,700 species of angiosperm plants, of which 220 species are of medicinal, quasi-medicinal and economically vital, and 125 have highly important medicinal values. However, local healers claim the existence of more than 500 types of medicinal plants on the hill.According to the Odia diaspora, people living around the hills can be trained, and with govt support, cottages should be constructed so that those can be managed by the community, where exhibition and sale of herbs could become a bridge between tourists and the villagers."Odisha has successfully run ecotourism in its forests, engaging the community. In line with the unique model, herbal tourism can be developed. All that we need to do is hone the skills of local healers, provide them with the latest technology, and train them in packaging, which is missing," said Dr Manas Hota, a visiting ayurveda professor at Mahidol University, Bangkok.