Himachal Pradesh state cabinet greenlit the HP Van Samridhi Jan Samridhi Yojana on September 5, 2018. This initiative empowers rural residents to generate revenue and economic growth by cultivating medicinal plants. Botanical species with therapeutic properties will now be valued based on their medicinal worth. With over 3,400 varieties of medicinal plants available in HP, the government is offering a 25% subsidy to support rural cultivators.
Self-Help Groups (SHGs) operating in rural areas will collaborate with local communities to manage the harvesting of medicinal plants from forests. The government will provide financial support of up to Rs. 10,000 for these efforts. The core objective of this scheme is to protect and preserve these valuable botanical resources, which are highly prized for their healing properties. Furthermore, rural citizens can boost their income by farming these herbs and selling them at fair market rates.
HP Van Samridhi Jan Samridhi Yojana 2026
The key highlights and provisions of the HP Van Samridhi Jan Samridhi Yojana include:
- The scheme guarantees economic benefits for rural families involved in the collection and trade of non-timber forest produce, including medicinal plants.
- The administration will prioritize post-harvest management, value addition, and effective marketing strategies.
- Rural residents are encouraged to cultivate medicinal plants on their private land, with the state government offering a 25% subsidy.
- Once forest-grown herbs are ready, designated Self-Help Groups will be engaged for the harvesting process.
- Collectors will receive compensation aligned with the current market value of the specific herb harvested.
- Unauthorized extraction or theft of medicinal plants from forest areas is strictly prohibited.
- The primary goal is to ensure fair pricing for forest-grown medicinal plants, enabling rural communities to earn a sustainable livelihood from their sale.
Formally approved on September 5, 2018, the state government is currently mapping five specific districts where these rare and valuable medicinal plants are predominantly found.
Training for Self-Help Groups - HP Van Samridhi Jan Samridhi Yojana
The Forest Department is organizing training sessions for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to teach proper harvesting techniques and optimal timing for collecting herbs. The government will continue to provide a 25% subsidy for medicinal plant cultivation and has established a dedicated Corpus Fund to support this initiative.
Varieties of Medicinal Herbs in Himachal Pradesh Forests
Himachal Pradesh is a treasure trove of therapeutic flora, with vast forest tracts containing a diverse range of herbs. Forest Department reports indicate the presence of 1,038 species, including approximately 3,400 types of medicinal herbs of immense value. These plants have significant healing potential, and the HP Van Samridhi Jan Samridhi Yojana is essential for the preservation of these species, some of which are nearing extinction.