He said there is an urgent need to focus on promotion of traditional modes of treatment like Ayurveda, Unani, Sidha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) as 60 per cent population in India uses Ayurvedic medicines, adding that the demand for these medicines is increasing even at international level where 40 per cent people use these medicines for treatment of various ailments. He said health conscious people prefer alternate medicines free from side effects.

The Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and Union Health Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad immediately after inauguration visited all stalls of FICCI, ISM, AYUSH, Handicrafts and Information Departments. They appreciated the rare projections of various departments made in their respective stalls.

Speaking at a function after inaugurating 4-day first of its kind national exhibition-cum-sale of herbal medicines “Arogya” at Srinagar, Azad said keeping in view the great demand and acceptability of herbal medicines, the Centre has launched a National Mission for medicinal plants, adding that a sum of Rs 630 crore is being spent for this purpose during the 11th Five Year Plan.

The Mission envisages promotion of cultivation of medicinal plants for pharmaceutical industry on a very intensive scale with appropriate pre and post harvest-management interventions, besides ensuring remunerative prices to the growers. He advised the people especially of Kandi belts to opt for cultivation of medicinal plants.