The half-acre nursery in the Biodiversity Park houses 50 species of herbs, some of which are rare, which are sourced from across the country.
If there is one lesson that the pandemic has taught everyone, it is to build immunity and maintain good health. As a result, people are increasingly moving towards a lifestyle that includes native herbs in their diet. With an aim to encourage every household to develop an herb garden, Dolphin Nature Conservation Society Development (DNCS), a Visakhapatnam-based organization has organized ‘Herbal to Promote Herbal Nursery’ at the Biodiversity Park within the RCD Hospital premises. A project called ‘Nursery’ has been created. As part of the project, the Biodiversity Park has dedicated half an acre with herbal plants, including some rare plants, which were procured from across the country. The herb nursery is one of its kind in the region.
“Fifty species (40 herbs and shrubs and the remaining trees) are being developed in the first phase,” says M Rama Murthy, DNCS and founder of the Biodiversity Park. It is spread over three acres. In the first phase, more than 1,000 plants of about 40 species are being reared. These will be given to 25 organizations of Visakhapatnam district.
There are many important species in the nursery like Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia Serpentine), Patalgarudi Or will hurt (Coculushirsutus), ashwagandha (Withaniasomnifera), tippetega Or gudusi (Tinosporacardifolia), miriyalu (piper nigrum), tamalapaku (piper betel nut), pippallu (piper longum), Dalchina Or tawaki (Cinnamon), Avati Or pasupu (Curcuma longa), podpatri (Gymnema sylvestre), Hanuman/Lakshman Fruits (Anna Muricata), Jalabrahm (bacopamonieri), Vasa (Acoruscalamus), and the insulin plant (Costuspictus).
“These medicinal plants have minimal toxicity and are native to India. They have the ability to enhance immunity against infectious diseases and play a vital role in building a healthy immune system,” says Rama Murthy.
The National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy), Government of India has documented several medicinal plants and their use in fighting diseases and boosting immunity under the section of Plants for Health and Prosperity. Many of these species are part of herb nurseries. These plants contain bioactive compounds, which are known to be rich in antioxidants, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, amino acids, minerals, alkaloids, antiviral and antibacterial phytochemicals.
In recent times, there has been an indiscriminate increase in the collection, use and export of medicinal plants across the world. This has threatened the extinction of many medicinal plants. “There is a case Sarpagandha, which is under threat today due to excessive exploitation and lack of awareness,” says Ram Murthy.
The Biodiversity Park is open during the morning hours on weekdays.
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