All India Institute of Ayurveda and 132 ECO Task Force Join Hands for Ashwagandha Plantation and Research in Aravalli Landscape
New Delhi: In an effort to bridge traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with scientific research and environmental conservation, the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, and the 132 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) ECO RAJPUT have launched an initiative to plant and conduct research on Ashwagandha at the 'Terriers Herbal Garden' in South Delhi's Bhatti Mines.
Under this initiative, 10,000 Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) plants will be cultivated and scientifically monitored. The program, held on September 24, combines AIIA’s expertise in Ayurveda and medicinal plant research with the Ecological Battalion’s experience in plantation, biodiversity conservation, and the restoration of degraded land.
The plants will be regularly monitored and recorded to understand their growth patterns and adaptability to the weather and environmental conditions of the Aravalli region. This process is expected to yield valuable scientific data while promoting the conservation of a significant Ayurvedic medicinal plant.
AIIA Director Prof. (Vaidya) Pradeep Kumar Prajapati stated that this initiative would help take Ayurveda beyond clinical practice by linking it with nature and sustainability. He noted that the systematic cultivation, conservation, and scientific documentation of medicinal plants could contribute to both the expansion of knowledge and the preservation of biodiversity.
The project also holds significant environmental importance, as the Bhatti Mines are part of Delhi’s Southern Ridge and the Aravalli region—areas that have been impacted by mining activities and environmental degradation. The Eco-Rajput Battalion has been engaged in planting and nurturing saplings in such areas.
The 'Terriers Herbal Garden' is already home to around 200 species of medicinal and Ayurvedic plants, including Amla, Parijat, and Aloe Vera. The AIIA is providing technical support for its scientific management and maintenance.
The message behind this initiative is "Rooted in Ayurveda – Conserving Biodiversity – Restoring Ecosystems," bringing together traditional knowledge, scientific research, and efforts to restore Delhi's green cover.