Aligarh: As part of the Centenary Celebrations, the Department of Botany at Aligarh Muslim University, in collaboration with the Society for Plant Research, successfully concluded a 3-day National Seminar on ‘Good Agricultural Practices of Selected Medicinal Plants’.

The seminar, which took place from November 16-18, focused on effective agricultural techniques for cultivating medicinal plants.

The Chief Guest on the occasion Prof Mohd Gulrez, former Vice-Chancellor of AMU, emphasized the significance of employing appropriate agro-techniques in medicinal plant cultivation and gave an example of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the focus on environmental conservation and sustainable resource use.

Guest of Honour Naaz Rizvi, Director of the Natural History Museum under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, talked about the significance of women's education in the sciences and advocated for increased environmental awareness. She encouraged students to initiate campaigns promoting sustainable living.

Another Guest of Honour Prof Abdul Mabood Khan, Director-in-Charge of ICMR National JALMA Institute of Agra, discussed the increasing incidence of lifestyle diseases and the promising role of medicinal plants in treatment. He called for blending traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches to create effective herbal medicines.

Special Guest Prof SK Bhatnagar, Founder Chairman of the Society for Plant Research, acknowledged the Organizing Committee's efforts and celebrated the contributions of young researchers to plant sciences.

In his opening remarks, Organizing Chairman, Prof M Badruzzaman Siddiqui, thanked the volunteers and department staff for their tireless work.

Organizing Secretary Prof Shamsul Hayat highlighted that the seminar featured 17 invited talks, 45 oral presentations, and 130 poster displays, showcasing diverse topics in medicinal plant agriculture.

Prof Anwar Shahzad, the Organizing Secretary, extended his gratitude in the vote of thanks, concluding the seminar. The valedictory session was conducted by Andleeb Anjum.