**Executive Summary**
Union Ayush Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav has formally supported the Delhi Government’s initiative to expand green cover through the conservation of the Delhi Ridge ecosystem. The Minister suggests integrating public health with environmental efforts by dedicating 20% of the new plantations, or two specific forests, to medicinal plants (Aushadhi Vans). This proposal aims to enhance ecological security while creating a sustainable raw material source for the Ayush sector.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Delhi’s Afforestation Initiative:**
* Proposed plantation of over 70 lakh indigenous and climate-resilient trees.
* Development of more than 70 water bodies across the region.
* Notification of approximately 6,000 hectares of land as official forest area to improve air quality and ecological security.
* **Species Restoration:**
* Plan to replace invasive species, such as Vilayati Kikar and Babool, with indigenous trees including Peepal, Banyan, Neem, Arjun, and Jamun.
* The initiative aims to transform the Delhi Ridge into the "lungs of Delhi."
* **Integration of Medicinal Plants:**
* The Minister recommends that at least 20% of the plantation in eight proposed forests be dedicated to medicinal species.
* Alternatively, the development of at least two dedicated "Aushadhi Vans" (Medicinal Forests) is proposed.
* An indicative list of suitable species was provided, including Ashwagandha, Giloy, Tulsi, Brahmi, Shatavari, Amla, Arjun, Ashok, Neem, Bel, and Jamun.
* **Strategic Objectives:**
* To provide a sustainable source of quality raw materials for traditional medicine.
* To promote biodiversity conservation and strengthen ecological restoration.
* To encourage eco-tourism within the National Capital Region (NCR).
**Impact Analysis**
**Delhi Government**
**Impact:**
The government is recognized as the lead executor of a large-scale environmental project that has gained federal attention and recommendation for expansion into the healthcare sector.
**Action Required:**
Review the Minister’s suggestions to incorporate a 20% medicinal plant quota or establish dedicated Aushadhi Vans within their current afforestation roadmap.
**Ayush Sector**
**Impact:**
The sector stands to gain a localized and sustainable supply of high-quality raw materials for traditional Indian medicine systems.
**Action Required:**
No direct action is required at this stage, though the sector is positioned as a primary beneficiary of the proposed medicinal forests.
**Residents of Delhi/NCR**
**Impact:**
Citizens will benefit from improved urban air quality, enhanced ecological security, and new avenues for eco-tourism.
**Action Required:**
No specific action is required from the public as the document focuses on government-level planning and implementation.
Key Entities Referenced
Delhi's Afforestation Drive: A large-scale initiative by the Delhi Government to expand green cover, restore water bodies, and conserve the Delhi Ridge ecosystem.
Ministry of Ayush: The central ministry proposing the integration of medicinal plants into urban forest development to support traditional medicine systems.
Medicinal Forests (Aushadhi Vans): A proposal to dedicate at least 20 per cent of new plantation areas to medicinal plant species to provide raw materials for the Ayush sector.
Prataprao Jadhav: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush who urged the integration of biodiversity and medicinal conservation in Delhi’s urban planning.
Delhi Ridge: The central ecological zone targeted for the replacement of invasive species with indigenous and medicinal trees to improve urban air quality.
AYUSH
Union Ayush Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav
Appreciates Delhi's Afforestation Drive, Urges
Integration of Medicinal Plants in Urban Forest
Development
Shri Prataprao Jadhav Calls for Dedicated Medicinal Plant
Forests in Delhi to Strengthen AYUSH and Biodiversity
Conservation
प्रव तथ: 10 JUL 2026 11:54AM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health & Family
Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, has welcomed the Delhi Government's ambitious initiative to expand
green cover through large-scale plantation and conservation of the Delhi Ridge ecosystem. In a letter
addressed to the Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Rekha Gupta, the Minister described the initiative as a
significant step towards environmental conservation and sustainable urban development.
In his letter, Shri Prataprao Jadhav commended the proposed plantation of over 70 lakh indigenous and
climate-resilient trees, development of more than 70 water bodies, and notification of nearly 6,000
hectares of land as forest area, describing these measures as a significant step towards strengthening
Delhi's ecological security and improving urban air quality.
The Union Minister particularly welcomed the proposal to replace invasive species such as Vilayati Kikar
and Babool with indigenous species including Peepal, Banyan, Neem, Arjun and Jamun, noting that the
initiative would transform the Ridge into the "lungs of Delhi" and create a healthier and greener urban
environment for future generations.
Highlighting the need to integrate environmental conservation with public health and traditional medicine
systems, Shri Jadhav suggested that at least 20 per cent of the plantation in the proposed eight forests be
devoted to medicinal plant species, or alternatively, that a minimum of two forests be developed as
dedicated Medicinal Forests (Aushadhi Vans).
The Minister stated that such medicinal forests would help create a sustainable source of quality raw
material for the Ayush sector, promote biodiversity conservation, strengthen ecological restoration efforts
and encourage eco-tourism in the National Capital Region.
Shri Jadhav also shared with the Chief Minister an indicative list of medicinal plant species suitable for
plantation in Delhi's agro-climatic conditions. The suggested species include Ashwagandha, Giloy, Tulsi,
Brahmi, Shatavari, Amla, Arjun, Ashok, Neem, Bel and Jamun, among others.
Reiterating the Ministry of Ayush's commitment towards promoting medicinal plants and sustainable
healthcare ecosystems, Shri Jadhav expressed confidence that the proposed initiative would serve as a
model for integrating urban afforestation with India's traditional systems of medicine and environmentalstewardship.
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