Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Ranikhet

Background and Mandate of the Institute –

The Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (RARI) under Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India is a premier research institute in frontier areas for the research on medicinal plants of North-West Himalaya. The objectives of the institutes are to conduct assessment of the distribution and availability of medicinal plants of North–West Himalaya and to develop need based technology for cultivation of saffron and other medicinal plants and to strengthen the local traditional wisdom on medicinal plants for their utilization in the field of scientific research. The institute was set up initially as a grant-in-aid unit for survey of medicinal plants in 1964. Presently the institute has two herbal gardens located at Ranikhet (Almora, Uttarakhand) and Chamba (Tehri garhwal, Uttarakhand) for demonstrative purpose and small scale cultivation of medicinal plants of RET category. The Institute has a Herbarium (Acronym-RKT) holding more than 62935 herbarium sheets and 624 museum crude drug specimens belong to North–West Himalayan region used in Ayurvedic system of medicine. The Institute has also a Musk Deer farm at Mahroori (Bageshwar, Uttarakhand) for breeding in captivity. Treatment of various diseases through ayurvedic medicines for the local community, OPD was started from 5th May 2015 at the institute campus.

Activities and Achievements –

1. Medico Ethno botanical Survey of North-West Himalaya -

  1. The institute explored 42 Forest Divisions covering approx. 54,000 square km. area accounting to about 25% of Western Himalaya from Tarai-Bhabar to Alpine regions.

  2. 62935 plants specimens were collected, representing about 218 families, 1410 genera and 3670 species of Angiosperms, Gymnosperms, and Pteridophytes from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and J&K since 1964 onwards. The Institute Herbarium accredited from New York Botanical Garden with Acronym ‘RKT’.

  3. The institute maintained 624 crude drug museum samples which were collected during survey of medicinal plants and Market survey from different part of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

  4. 550 folklores were collected during Medico ethno botanical survey tour since 1964.

  5. New records made on occurrence of Indian Gingsing (Panax pseudogenseg Wall) and an Orchid (Diplomeris hirsuta Lindl.) from Western Himalaya through Medico ethno botanical survey.

  6. Two plant species like Wallichia densiflora Mart. And Phrynium placentrium Nees. considered diminished from about a century has been noticed and collected.

2. Cultivation of Medicinal Plants and Saffron –

For cultivation and conservation of the Himalayan medicinal plants including RET species of the Himalayan region and saffron, two herbal gardens are being maintained by the Institute. These garden are only for demonstrative porpose.

Medicinal Plant Garden Ranikhet -

  1. Cultivation of medicinal plants in the garden was initiated in the year 1964 under the ISM survey programme. In July, 1972 the programme (Govt. of India was merged with RARI (Formerly Amalgamated Unit) under CCRAS (Formely CCRIMH). The garden is situated in between 29039‟ N and 79024‟ E at an altitude of 1654m.; surrounded by thick pine forest/having some trees of Deodar, Myrica, Rhododendron, Quercus and shrubs like Berberis, Rubus sp., Crataegus sp. etc.

  2. The total area of the land allotted for cultivation project is 3 acre including saffron garden. Net area of the land presently under cultivation is 2.5 acre. This cultivated land purely on rental bases from Kumaon Cooperative Federation Almora.

  3. At present 157 medicinal plants are well maintained in this Garden.

  4. The Saffron (Crocus sativum Linn.) is successfully cultivated in non habitat area of Ranikhet.

Vanosadhi Vatika Chamba(Tehari Garhwal) –

  1. The Chamba garden was taken over by ISM Survey Unit on long lease basis. The Ownership of approximately 2 acres of the land is with the department. It is situated at an elevation of 1750m.

  2. At present 68 medicinal and aromatic plants are well maintained in the garden.

  3. The Saffron (Crocus sativum Linn.) is successfully cultivated in non habitat area of Chamba garden.

3. Musk Deer Research Centre, Mahroori, Bageshwar (Uttarakhand) –

  1. With the objective of breeding musk deer and extraction of musk without sacrificing the deer, this center is established in 2 acres of land at village Mahroori in Bageshwar District of Uttarakhand, situated at an altitude of 2200m since 1974.

  2. At present 16 (7 male + 9 female) Musk deer are maintained in the musk deer research center. The study on their feeding habits, behavioral pattern, diseases and their control are continued under regular supervision by staff.

4. Out Patient Department(OPD) –

  1. Treatment of various diseases through Ayurvedic medicines for the local community, OPD was started from 5th May 2015 at Institute Campus.

Research Project

  1. Medico- Ethnobotanical survey.

  2. Cultivation of medicinal plants & Saffron.

  3. Musk Deer breeding in captivity.

  4. Clinical Research.

 

Seminar -

A National seminar on Medicinal plants of Himalaya: Potential and Prospect was successfully organized by the Institute on dated 17-18 September 2010.

National Campaign -

As per the instruction and guidelines obtained from the Council’s Headquarter National campaign on Ayurveda and geriatrics has been successfully conducted by the Institute with collaborated of Dept. of Ayurveda and Unani Services, Govt. of Uttarakhand during 2010-2011 in Uttarakhand State.

National Arogya Fair 2016

As per the directives of the CCRAS Head Quarter, New Delhi, vide letter No. 48-30/2015-CRAS/ Admin./2497 dated 27/1/2016 the Regional Research Institute of Himalayan Flora, Ranikhet, Uttarakhand had participated in the National Level Arogya Fair held at Parade ground, Dehradun from 5th to 8th February, 2016.

 

Research Publication: Since inception, the institute has published over 600 research paper in national and international journals. 3 books and 4 monographs are also published.

Other activities –

  1. The institute provided the regular training on medicinal plants for the students, NGOs, researchers and forest personal.

  2. Ph.D programme in Botany subject, MoU signed in between Institute and Kumaun University, Nainital for academic and research activities. Under above MoU six students were awarded their PhD under supervision of Dr. G.C. Joshi, Research officer incharge.

 

Contact Detail –

Dr. Achintya Mitra Research Officer In-charge

Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (RARI)

CCRAS, Thapla, Ganiyadeoli, Ranikhet

Almora (Uttarkhand)

Pin – 263645

Tel.- 05966-264264

Fax -05966-264265

Email - rrihf.tarikhet@gmail.com

rrihf-tarikhet@gov.in