Union Ayush Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav Appreciates Delhi's Afforestation Drive, Urges Integration of Medicinal Plants in Urban Forest Development

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, wrote to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta praising the Delhi Government’s plan to plant over 70 lakh indigenous, climate‑resilient trees, develop more than 70 water bodies and earmark nearly 6,000 hectares as forest area. He urged that at least 20 % of the planting in the eight proposed forests be medicinal species, or that two forests be dedicated as ‘Medicinal Forests (Aushadhi Vans)’, citing an indicative list that includes Ashwagandha, Giloy, Tulsi and Neem. The minister said such forests would supply quality raw material for the AYUSH sector, boost biodiversity, enhance ecological restoration and promote eco‑tourism in the National Capital Region.