srinagar: For the past 20 years, a public school teacher has cultivated an herb garden and turned it into a treasure trove of natural remedies. With a passion for preserving and harnessing the healing powers of nature, he has cultivated over 100 species of plants, each with immense medicinal value. These include rare species known for their potential to treat serious diseases, including cancer.
Mr. Manzoor Javaid is a former state employee of the School Herb Garden Project, a lecturer by profession, and is widely known as the ‘Herb Man of Kashmir’. At his home in Achabal area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, he maintains a herbal garden boasting over 100 species of medicinal plants.
Javaid said his herb garden is the result of 20 years of hard work. “We have collected seeds from different regions, mainly plants with medicinal properties.Currently, the garden is home to over 100 species, with more to come.Until the next growing season. , this garden will become fully functional on a larger scale,” he said.
His collection includes exotic vegetables such as Chinese cabbage, wild garlic, and Swiss chard, as well as medicinal plants such as: dandelionIt is known for its beneficial effects on the liver. Valeriana Wallikianaused for its antidepressant properties.
Javaid also has oregano in his garden. El xhortia syriata (Eira gassa), lemon balm, lavender, and rosemary are all known for their health benefits. Among the rare items are Bistorta Affinisused to treat bleeding and ulcerative colitis. Taxus wallichianaan anti-cancer plant.
“You can brew nutraceuticals, nutraceuticals, pickles, oils, teas. Globally, there is a growing trend in the supplement market featuring products derived from these medicinal plants,” Javaid said. .
He added that in the future, they plan to work with government and private institutions to promote herbal cultivation among local residents and make herbal cultivation a viable career option for young people through awareness programs. “Farmers and youth can pursue this as a career, whether as producers, entrepreneurs or in the value-add sector,” he said.
Javaid said that after the fruit industry and tourism industry, the herbal sector has immense potential to create employment opportunities across JK.
More and more students are visiting herb gardens and showing interest in the herb field. Some have started pursuing careers in this field, he said, adding that they have worked in the herbal sector across Jammu region, Kashmir and Ladakh.
He suggested that the government should start an initiative to recognize the herbal sector as a vocational field (subject) in schools, similar to courses on hairdressing skills, automobiles and tourism. “The herbal sector is closely related to tourism and should be promoted as part of herbal tourism to attract more tourists,” Javaid said. (KNO)
