3 weeks ago
Alipurduar MLA Pitches Medicinal Plants in Closed Tea Gardens
In a part of India called the Dooars, many tea gardens have stopped working.
A leader named Paritosh Das had an idea to use these empty gardens.
He wants to grow special medicinal plants there, which are used to make natural medicines.
These plants already grow wild in the closed gardens, so they could be collected and sold.
He sent his plan to the government office that takes care of traditional medicine.
If it works, tea workers who lost their jobs could get new ones.
The government could also earn more money from this.
Many people like the idea, but workers' unions want everyone to talk about it first before starting.
Experts think a special government board could help make the plan work.
Alipurduar BJP MLA Paritosh Das proposed commercially cultivating medicinal plants in closed tea gardens of the Dooars.
The proposal was sent to the Union Ayush ministry through the state Ayush department.
Nine tea estates in the Dooars have been closed for years and more than a dozen are financially critical, with Lankapara tea garden shut since 2015.
Supporters say the plan could create employment, generate government revenue, and build a new herbal medicine industry in north Bengal.
Trade unions welcomed the idea but urged consultations with workers and managements, while an expert suggested the West Bengal State Medicinal Plants Board lead implementation.
- Who
- Paritosh Das, BJP MLA of Alipurduar, who sent the proposal, with support from experts and trade unions.
- What
- A proposal to commercially cultivate medicinal plants in closed and sick tea gardens of the Dooars.
- Where
- The Dooars region of north Bengal, India, including Lankapara tea garden in Alipurduar district.
- When
- The proposal was sent by Das on a Saturday; no exact date is given in the article.
- Why
- To provide alternative livelihoods for tea garden workers and develop a new herbal medicine industry in the region.
Key facts
- Proponent
- Paritosh Das, BJP MLA of Alipurduar
- Proposal recipient
- Union Ayush ministry via the state Ayush department
- Closed tea estates in Dooars
- Nine, closed for years
- Financially critical gardens
- More than a dozen
- Example closed garden
- Lankapara tea garden, Alipurduar, shut since 2015
- Unused garden land usable
- Up to 15 per cent per government rules
- Supporting union
- Dooars Cha Bagan Workers Union
- Suggested implementing body
- West Bengal State Medicinal Plants Board (per expert)
Quotes
Gopal Pradhan
President of the Dooars Cha Bagan Workers Union
“The initiative is appreciable, but the government has to come forward to engage companies. Under government rules, 15 per cent of unused tea garden land can also be utilised for cultivation of medicinal plants.”
telegraphindia.com
“There are several closed and sick tea gardens in the Dooars. Medicinal plants grow naturally in these gardens. Apart from this, medicinal plants can easily be cultivated on abandoned and vacant land.”
telegraphindia.com
Unnamed expert on medicinal plants
Expert on medicinal plants referencing Dooars and north Bengal
“The initiative is appreciable. North Bengal is a treasure trove of medicinal plants. If medicine-manufacturing companies come forward, it could contribute to the economy of the Dooars.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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