NSS to build herbal gardens in Chandigarh schools, colleges

CHANDIGARH - The National Service Scheme (NSS) will build herbal gardens in schools and colleges in Chandigargh that have its units, an official said Sunday.

“These herbal gardens would be developed, monitored and maintained by NSS volunteers. We would contact the forest department and other eco-clubs of the region for the regular supply of medicinal plants,” Bikram Rana, the liaison officer of the state NSS cell, said.

“The objective of this drive is to make young minds aware of the importance of our rich medicinal plants and to use the youth power for development of herbal gardens. This will also help in maintaining the clean environment,” Rana said.

Chandigarh has 127 NSS units, each with around 100 volunteers. While 66 units are functioning in schools, 67 others have been established in institutes of higher education.

The total strength of NSS volunteers in Chandigarh is 12,700.

Rana said that in near future, such gardens would also be developed in villages around this union territory with the help of NSS volunteers.

“Apart from keeping the environment healthy, it would be a lucrative source of income for the village ‘panchayats’ (councils). These plants can be sold at good prices to pharmaceutical companies engaged in the manufacturing of ayurvedic medicines,” Rana said.