Chandigarh Forest Department to distribute 75,000 medicinal plants

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 1

The UT Forest Department will distribute 75,000 medicinal plants among the city residents in order to boost their immunity in the wake of Covid-19.

Plants such as aloe vera, neem, curry leaves, ‘patharchatta’, ‘giloy’, tulsi and ashwagandha will be given to the residents till July 31. The department will deliver the plants at door step. The details regarding their visit to different sectors will be posted on its website.

“We are just waiting for the monsoon to arrival, after which we will start delivering plants to the residents. We will put details of our visit to different sectors on our website. People are not required to register themselves,” said Debendra Dalai, Chief Conservator of Forests, UT.

The distribution of plants is an annual feature of the Forest Department. The objective is to encourage people to grow plants and increase greenery in city.

The department has been giving flower or fruit plants, but this time, all medicinal plants are given in the wake of Covid-19. As there is no medicine to beat Covid as of now, boosting immunity is a major factor to curb the danger of this virus.

“Medicinal plants boost immunity. We will give five plants per person. Those who need more than can contact us, we will arrange,” said Dalai.

Dr Naresh Mittal, Shri Dhanwantri Ayurvedic College in Sector 46, where Covid-19 patients are admitted, said, “Medicinal plants have a major role to play. We offer ‘kadha’, a combination of 10 herbs, to our staff to build their immunity. It also controls sugar level and has shown good results.”

Of the 200 patients admitted here, only 32 are active now, others have cured.