Ayurvedic medical resort in Srisailam still a non-starter

KURNOOL: Officials of the Ayurvedic and medical department are allegedly sitting on a detailed report recommending Ayurvedic medical resort and research centre that was submitted to the government five years ago. The government also sanctioned `10 crore in 2014 to construct an ayurvedic medical centre in Srisailam. The proposal was made based on availability of medicinal plants in Srisailam hills of Nallamala forest to promote medical tourism. But still it remains on paper. The government has also planned to divert the sanctioned funds to other purpose, according to sources.

The proposal includes a health resort, a park of medicinal plants, a mini-pharmacy and a spiritual centre in Srisailam.The reasoning is that since Srisailam is a major pilgrim centre, it will be easy to promote it as a health resort. The proposal was sent to the National Medicinal Plant Board and its clearance is awaited.
A few are aware that the Srisailam hill ranges are second only to the Himalayas in terms of the availability of rare medicinal plants in the country. Dr VKM Lavanya, medical officer of Srisailam dispensary, AYUSH Department, said higher officials had sent special proposals to set up Ayush health resort at Srisailam. 

It may be noted that around 1,600 plant species are available in the Nallamala forest. Of them, at least 400 are medicinal plants. Devadhari, Vishamushti, Nagamushti, Tellieswari, Mayurasikha, Malleru, Chillaginjalu, Tippateega etc are some of the most popular of these 400 varieties of medicinal plant species. The medicinal plants are spread across 60 per cent of the Nallamala forest area.

Bio-diversity research assistant M Ramesh said they are conducting research regularly and will send a report on the various species to the Zoological Survey of India. “We are researching for only identification of different plant species,” he said.

PROJECT
The proposal includes setting up of a health resort, a park of medicinal plants, a mini-pharmacy and a spiritual centre in Srisailam
1,600 
Total plant species available in 
Nallamala forest
60%
 Medicinal plant area of Nallamala forest
A10 cr
Funds sanctioned in 2014
400
No. of medicinal plant species