Jammu, February 08 (Scoop News) – Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Wednesday sought the support of Council of Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR) in the promotion of aroma, herbal and leather industry in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We are also looking forward for technological intervention of CSIR to enable the State utilize huge quantity of weeds produced in Dal and other lakes”, the Chief Minister told the visiting team of CSIR led by its Union Secretary Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and Director General, Prof. Samir K. Brahmachari who called on the Chief Minister here.
Senior Advisor and Director TKDL, V. K. Gupta, Head of Planning and Performance Division, Dr. Sudeep Kumar, Head of the Technical Cell, Z. Thomas, Director IIIM J&K, Dr. Ram Vishwakarma and Chief Scientist, Prof. R. K. Raina were part of the team.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government is keen to take best advantage of scientific innovations and research of CSIR to convert its rich potential in aroma, medicine and herbal fields into substantial economic welfare and employment generation. “Leather is equally viable and promising sector”, he said adding that CSIR can provide necessary scientific interventions to help develop leather industry in the Valley on modern lines.
“Thousands of tonnes of weeds are produced in Dal and other lakes of the State. We are in need of a befitting scientific technology to convert this produce into useful products to achieve twin goals of weed disposal and generation of economy”, he maintained.
The Chief Minister said that CSIR could also help the State in the promotion of MSME sector in spice production and marketing. “Its technological base and support is also required to strengthen the sector of Indian System of Medicine”, he said adding that Unani mode of treatment with wide base in Kashmir and Ayurvadic system of treatment in Jammu can be given necessary fillip by the CSIR help.
The Union Secretary and Director General CSIR said that the CSIR would extend its full support to the State in building strong research base. “CSIR will also extend innovative interventions for the promotion of agro-based, herbal and aroma industry”, he said.
“We can also provide assistance for utilizing latest technology in leather goods manufacturing to the State”, he said adding that CSIR has special division looking after the development and promotion of Unani medicine in the Country. He said Jammu and Kashmir can be provided assistance to channelize the available human resource expertise in the form of Hakeems and Vaids in this non-organized sector to bring about healthy change in the practicing of Unani and Ayurvadic medicines in the State.
Prof. Brahmachari said that in the leather field CSIR would initiate proto type industrial projects of high technical efficacy to promote this industry in the State. He said design facility, training and utilization of low water high-tech environmental friendly technology can be also provided by CSIR besides other facilities to artisans to create high value leather products.
Appreciating the Chief Minister’s keen interest in the utilization of bio-diversity of the State by scientific interventions into economic welfare of the State, the Director General CSIR said that the research being conducted in IIIM laboratories at Jammu and Srinagar are praise worthy. He promised all support to the State in restoring the world leading position of IIIM Srinagar it used to enjoy earlier.
The meeting also discussed matters relating to the creation of API oriented knowledge base and analytical facilities befitting Pharma Industry and S&T Information Centre.
It was stated in the meeting that IIIM Srinagar has identified value addition through extension, fractionation, quality and technology to enhance economic returns to cultivators by three times in the crops of lavender, Rose, Geranium, Rose Merry and Clarisage.
It was further stated that CSIR can also facilitate creation of facilities in four districts of Jammu for development of high value herbal products. IIIM Jammu will act as a S&T Information Centre for Jammu and Kashmir to access National Knowledge Network of CSIR, the meeting was told.
Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas was present in the meeting among others.