Hon. Speaker, Kerala is known for its traditional knowledge of Ayurveda and related practices involving medicinal plants and herbs.

Kerala is the cradle of Ayurveda in India and it was in recognition of  this potential that the Ministry of AYUSH is considering the establishment of the National Institute of Medicinal Plants in Kerala.

This institute is intended to be in pursuance of the Government’s ‘Vision for Ayurveda 2020’ proposal. The institute should ideally be located in Thiruvananthapuram, the State Capital of Kerala, which also hosts the famous Government Ayurveda College.

The State Medicinal Plant Board of the Government of Kerala has already submitted a detailed Project Report on the proposed institute, for the Government’s review.

I urge you to approve the report and release the initial amount of Rs. 50 lakh for establishing the National Institute of Medicinal Plants in Thiruvananthapuram.