Parliament Question: Establishment of medicinal plant resources and ayurveda institute in Konkan

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2833 ANSWERED ON 17/03/2026 “Establishment of medicinal plant resources and ayurveda institute in Konkan” 2833. Shri Dhairyashil Mohan Patil: Will the Minister of Ayush be pleased to state: (a) whether Government is aware that the Konkan region is extremely rich in medicinal herbs like Kokam, Triphala, Sarpagandha and rare plant resources; (b) whether there is a proposal to establish one of the three proposed new All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), aimed at scientific exploitation and value addition of these natural resources, in this region; (c) whether 'AYUSH medicine clusters' and special processing centres would be established for the farmers in Konkan for the commercial cultivation of medicinal plants; and (d) whether there is a proposal to establish high level drug testing laboratories for the certification of local medicinal herbs? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a): Yes, Government is aware that the Konkan region is extremely rich in biodiversity and medicinal plant resources. The region is known for several endemic and economically important medicinal plants such as Kokam, Harad, Baheda, Sarpgandha, Lodhra, Jyotishmati, Nagkeshar, Sita Ashok, Ritha, Bhallataka, Saptrangi, Khair, Arjun, Beal, Agnimanth and other plant species used in traditional medicine. (b): During the presentation of the Union Budget 2026-27 on 1st February, 2026, it has been announced to establish three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda (AIIAs). (c): There is no such proposal under consideration. (d): The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of Ayush, under Central Sector Scheme (CSS) on ‘Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal 1Plants’ has established following Raw Drug Repositories (RDRs) in the different part of country which are equipped with optimum facilities for authentication of medicinal plants: Sr No Raw Drug Repositories (RDRs) established Regions covered 1. National Raw Drug Repository (NRDR)-Regional National level Ayurveda Research Institutes (CCRAS), Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh 2. Regional Raw Drug Repositories (RRDR)-All India Trans- Ganga Plain Region Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi 3. Regional Raw Drug Repositories (RRDR)-National Western Dry Region Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur, Rajasthan 4. Regional Raw Drug Repositories (RRDR)-National Southern Plateau Region Institute of Siddha, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 5. Regional Raw Drug Repositories (RRDR)- Gangetic Plain Region Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 2