Herbal Horizons: Stakeholders Unite in Palampur to Shape the Future of Natural Wellness

The serene town of Palampur in Himachal Pradesh became a vibrant hub of ideas and collaboration as the two-day Herbal Sector Stakeholder Meet – 2025 concluded today at the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT). Held on July 2–3, the event brought together over 200 passionate participants from across India — including scientists, farmers, policy makers, industry leaders, researchers, healthcare professionals, and representatives from NGOs and farmer producer organizations.

The meet was structured into three insightful sessions, each addressing a critical aspect of the herbal ecosystem:

• Session 1: Challenges in Herbal Cultivation and Sustainable Sourcing
  Dr. D.R. Nag set the tone with a keynote address that highlighted the current status and potential of India’s herbal resources.
• Session 2: Quality Control and Scientific Validation of Herbal Formulations
  Chaired by Dr. Raman Mohan Singh, Director of the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy, this session featured a compelling keynote by Dr. C.K. Katiyar from Emami Ltd., emphasizing the importance of rigorous quality checks for herbal raw materials.
• Session 3: Fostering Collaboration in the Herbal Sector
  Dr. Vijay Chaudhary from Rajiv Gandhi Government PG Ayurvedic College & Hospital, Paprola, delivered a powerful lead lecture on validating herbal medicines and the urgent need for cross-sector collaboration.

Beyond the main sessions, the event featured over 24 expert talks and a dynamic panel discussion focused on the road ahead for the herbal industry. Participants had the opportunity to explore IHBT’s cutting-edge laboratories, gaining firsthand insight into the research and innovation driving the sector forward.

Attendees praised the institute for organizing a truly enriching experience that addressed their concerns and offered practical solutions. The meet concluded with a shared vision: to harness India’s rich biodiversity and traditional wisdom to fuel sustainable economic growth, enhance rural livelihoods, and position the country as a global leader in herbal wellness — all in alignment with the goals of Viksit Bharat.