CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, 19-12-2022

CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, celebrated the 12^th Tree Talk Foundation Day (1280^th tree talk) today at CSIR-IIIM Jammu campus in collaboration with Society for Ethnopharmacology (SFE), India Jammu chapter. The broad theme of the event was “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) & CSIR-Aroma Mission Phase-2.” More than 200 participants from different walks of life, including scientists, tree talk enthusiasts, conservationists, ayurvedic doctors, academicians, students, researchers, poets, and traditional healers, participated in the program.

Dr. O.P. Vidyarthi (Retd. IFS), Tree Talk Founder, gave a detailed presentation about 12 years journey of the Tree Talk initiative. He shared his experience about the MAPs of J&K and their nutritional and economic potential for the betterment of society. He thanked all the stakeholders and participants who made the Tree Talk initiative successful over the years.

Chief Guest of the program, Er. Abdul Rahim, Chief Scientist and HOD, RMBD&IST Division, IIIM Jammu, gave details of research undertaken on MAPs at CSIR-IIIM. He conveyed the message of Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Director IIIM Jammu. Dr. Reddy, in his message, congratulated Dr. O.P. Sharma on the 12^th Tree Talk Foundation Day. On behalf of Director IIIM, Er. Rahim assured full support to the SFE and Tree Talk initiatives in future endeavors.

Earlier, in his presentation, Dr. Sumeet Gairola, Principal Scientist and Nodal Scientist CSIR-Aroma Mission Phase-2, gave details of CSIR-Aroma Mission activities of CSIR-IIIM, Jammu. He apprised participants about the rich scientific history of CSIR-IIIM Jammu. He informed participants about exemplary work done by great scientists like Col. Sir R.N. Chopra and Dr. E.K. Janaki Ammal at CSIR-IIIM, Jammu.

Dr. Prasoon Gupta, Principal Scientist, and Coordinator SFE, Jammu Chapter, informed participants about pan India activities and the mission of SFE. He urged all to join SFE for the betterment of Science and Society. In his address, Dr. Dhiraj Vyas, HOD Plant Sciences and Agrotechnology Division, discussed the relevance of Tree Talks in conserving Biodiversity.

More than 30 posters on Ethnopharmacology and Medicinal plants were displayed under the competitive category. Participants exhibited several wild edibles, medicinal and religious plants, plant products, innovative cuisines, sweets, and teas. Tree Talk Enthusiasts who were felicitated on this occasion are Prof. Vijay Chandan, Prof. Ran Vijay Singh, Mr. Kewal Parihar, Ms. Taslima Sheikh, Mr. Sham Lal Agnihotri, Dr. Kiran Sharma, Prof. Parmil Kumar, Mr. Sandeep Gupta, Dr. Anzum, Mr. Sumit Soodan, and Mr. Purshotam Dubey Shastri. Outdoor Tree Talk was also conducted at the CSIR-IIIM Jammu campus, where all the participants enthusiastically participated. The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Sumeet Gairola.