Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a joint meeting of the Forest, Ecology & Environment Department and the Agriculture Production Department to explore large-scale cultivation, conservation, and commercial promotion of aromatic and medicinal plants across Jammu & Kashmir.

Attended by senior officials from both departments, including PCCF and departmental secretaries, the meeting focused on tapping the sector’s vast potential, noting that current revenue of ₹11 crore is minimal compared to opportunities available.
The Chief Secretary emphasized the need for structured, commercially viable strategies to harness economic, ecological, and livelihood benefits. He directed the departments to formulate area-specific plans for mass propagation, training, and capacity-building, using forest areas for demonstration and producing quality planting material.
He also called for model herbal gardens in every district, cluster-based cultivation frameworks, and the development of processing units and value-addition facilities to enhance income-generation for local farmers. These measures aim to transform medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation into a sustainable and profitable sector for the Union Territory.