Meghalaya IBSD trains farmers about medicinal plants

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Nov 5: Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Meghalaya organised a training programme for the farmers at Upper Shillong for cultivation of medicinal plants including Swertia chirayita (Chirayita) and Gaultheria fragrantissima (Jathynrat).

This training was organised by IBSD under the Himalayan Bioresources Mission and the guidance of Prof. Pulok K. Mukherjee, Director IBSD to promote medicinal plants resources of the region for societal benefit and livelihood generation.

During the programme, farmers from Mawbeh village, East Khasi Hills District were trained for cultivation and propagation of Chirayita, Jathynrat and explored various field trials of medicinal plants growing within IBSD campus. During the event, aromatic oil extraction was performed from Jathynrat and demonstrated to farmers.

IBSD is organising such programmes in North Eastern Region to promote bioentrepreneurship and bioeconomy from bioresources. The programme was also attended by students, scholars and scientists of IBSD.

NE Cancer Hospital patients get a massive scare

Residents of Mawsmai (11 Mile area), Jorabat and patients of the North East Cancer Hospital escaped injuries after a transformer located in front of the entrance to the hospital burst into flame today.

Fortunately, quick thinking and action by the residents who quickly doused the flames prevented any injuries.

The cause of the fire could not be ascertained by the filing of this report. The incident occurred at around 12:30 AM just outside the campus of the North East Cancer Hospital within the Jorabat Police Outpost.

Those who witnessed the sudden blaze immediately informed the fire station in Guwahati whose personnel rushed to the spot to take control of the situation and after a few hours of continuous efforts by the firefighters, the blaze was doused.