Event Date : 30/01/2021
Location : Alva’s Ayurveda Medical College,
Moodubidire.
A one-day symposium on ASHOKA VRIKSHA was conducted by Alva’s Traditional Medicine Archive (ATMA) & Research Centre in association with Karnataka State Medicinal Plants Authority on 30.01.2021 at Alva’s Ayurveda Medical College, Moodubidire. The symposium was focused on the history, cultivation, controversy on identification, and therapeutic utilities of different parts of Ashoka tree (Saraca ashoka) an endangered medicinal plant.
The Inaugural program commenced at 9.30 am at Dr V.S Archarya Auditorium, Vidyagiri, Moodubidire with eminent dignitaries.
Chief Guest Shri Sudharshan G A, IFS (Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Chief executive officer, Karnataka State Medicinal Plants Authority Bengaluru, has inaugurated the symposium and given his Inaugural address.
Sri Prakash S Netalkar, Chief Conservator of Forests, Karnataka Forest Department, Mangaluru addressed the gathering and said his best wishes to the symposium.
Dr. M Mohan Alva, Chairman, Alva’s Education Foundation, presided over the function and given his presidential address.
Dr. Subhrahmanya Padyana, Director of ATMA, Research Centre, Professor & HOD Department of Dravyaguna, Alvas Ayurveda Medical College, Moodubidire , has given the introductory address to the symposium.
Dr. Zenica D’souza, Principal, Alva’s Ayurveda Medical College, Moodubidire has done the welcome speech.
The Master of ceremony done by Dr. Geetha M B, Prayer by Dr. Shrikanth, and vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Prashnath Jain.
The event was followed by scientific presentations by various resource persons and panel discussions with experts.
The first scientific session by Dr. M J Prabhu, Medicinal Plant Consultant, KAMPA has presented on the topic ‘Vriksha Ayush-Ashoka Setu’ and explained the Policy matter of the NMPB & KAMPA along with the second scientific session by Dr. Subhramanya Padyana, Director Of ATMA, Professor & HOD Department of Dravyaguna has presented about the topic ‘Ashoka Vanasiri in Ramayana’ with the narration of various plants found in Ashoka Vana.
The third scientific session by Dr. Shrikumar K, Professor, Prasanna College of Ayurveda & Hospital, Belthangady has presented on the topic ‘Cultivation of Ashoka as monocrop and intercrop’
The fourth scientific session by Dr. Krishnamurthy M S, Dean. Ph.D. Studies Alva’s Ayurveda Medical College Moodbidri has presented on the topic ‘Classical formulations and future perspectives of Ashoka’
The fifth scientific session by Dr. Soumya Saraswathi M, Research Co-ordinator ATMA Research Centre Moodbidri, has presented on the topic ‘Ethno-medical uses of different parts of Ashoka & its new products’ with a practical demonstration of various products of Ashoka.
The sixth scientific session by Dr. J Ganapathi Bhat, Director, Jeddu Ayurveda Adhyayana & Anusandhana Samstha (JASA), has presented about ‘Harvesting practices for Ashoka and managing demand & supply in herbal drug industries’
After the scientific session, Ashoka Vana-Siri Bhojana was served with an attractive and innovative menu with the incorporation of various parts of Ashoka such as Ashoka Seed Burfi, Ashoka Pak, Ashoka Tambuli, Ashoka Salad, Ashoka Ksheera paka etc.
The afternoon session was continued with a panel discussion and interactive sessions. The resolutions passed by members of the Panel in the discussions are as follows
- Encourage the cultivation of Ashoka by the local farmers.
- Encourage the marketing of different parts of Ashoka from the Forest Department to the various herbal drug industries and increase the revenue
- Simplify the legal aspects regarding harvesting and utilization of Ashoka
- Preparing the various new products of different parts of Ashoka
- Import and Export of Ashoka Products
- Encouraging the cultivation of endangered medicinal plants.
- Developing various Vanas mentioned in ancient Indian literature, conservation and overall development of the forest.
The valedictory Program was at 4.00 pm, concluded with National Anthem, followed by High Tea.
About 200 Delegates had attended the symposium among which there were 36 Forest officers of Dakshina Kannada & Udupi Districts, 30 farmers from Moodbidri, Karkala & Mangaluru, around 35 Research Scholars, Ayurveda Students and Staffs from various AYUSH Colleges of Dakshina Kannada & Udupi Districts along with 50 faculty members and 50 PG Scholars of Alva’s Ayurveda Medical College, Moodubidire.
A unique exhibition on Various food & medicinal products of different parts of Ashoka Vriksha such as Ashoka Pak, Ashoka Syrup, Ashoka granules, Ashoka Leha, Ashoka Burfi, Ashoka Taila, Ashoka Soap etc were the center of attraction of the symposium. In a nutshell, the symposium was highly successful & further our Research Centre is ready to continue such research-oriented programs.
